California governor offers federal workers unemployment benefits despite Trump administration’s orders

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) reportedly says the state will be offering federal workers unemployment benefits amid the ongoing partial government shutdown despite orders from the Trump administration directing states otherwise. 

Newsom said the U.S. Department of Labor sent a letter to states telling them that they could not provide unemployment coverage to federal workers who have been required to work without pay during the nearly monthlong shutdown.

{mosads}Newsom, who reportedly called the order “jaw-dropping and extraordinary,” said on Thursday that his state will be offering federal workers unemployment benefits anyway.

“So, the good news is, we’re going to do it, and shame on them,” Newsom said while meeting with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees at the Sacramento International Airport, according to NPR.

One TSA Staffer, Miguel Pagarigan, reportedly expressed his frustration with working without pay at a job for which his commute is more than 40 miles. 

“Because of the shutdown and being furloughed — or basically, not being paid — I had to put a ‘for sale’ sign on my house on Sunday,” Pagarigan said.

The Trump administration does not seem to be opposed to states offering unemployment coverage to federal workers who have remained at home amid the closure.

The news comes as the shutdown enters its 28th day with no end in sight.

President Trump has demanded $5.7 billion in funding for his long-desired southern border wall and additional security to tackle what he has described as a humanitarian crisis.

Congressional Democrats have demanded that the president reopen the government and have rejected the calls for wall funding.

Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.