Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and members of the Democratic congressional delegations from Maryland and Virginia railed against the Trump administration's firings of federal employees during the shutdown and threatened to sue in response. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Flash forward to Day 14, and Senate Democrats from Maryland and Virginia, states home to tens of thousands of federal employees, showed no signs of caving from their shutdown position despite the firings.
"When they tell you when they tell you that the shutdown is making them fire these federal employees, do not believe it for a moment," Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said. "That is a big lie. It is a big fat lie. It is also illegal. And we will see them in court."
The lawmakers also railed against threats that furloughed federal workers would not receive back pay. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that roughly 750,000 nonessential federal employees could be furloughed, and their estimated back pay could cost up to $400 million per day.
The threat runs counter to a law President Donald Trump signed in 2019 that required furloughed workers to receive back pay in future shutdowns.
"The idea that he doesn't understand that everybody has to get paid back shows maybe how short his memory span is, or how [he] arbitrarily wants to pick and choose," Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said.
SENATE SET FOR NEW VOTE TO END SHUTDOWN, BUT GRIDLOCK OVER OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES REMAINS
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attends a news conference following a weekly Democratic policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 7, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., want a firm deal in place to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies before open enrollment begins on Nov. 1, while Senate Republicans argue that they are open to negotiating a deal only after the government reopens.
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And the actions and threats from the Trump administration appeared to only further steel Democrats’ resolve on the issue.
"The message we have today is very simple, very simple," Van Hollen said. "Donald Trump and Russ Vought: stop attacking federal employees. Stop attacking the American people and start negotiating to reopen the federal government and address the looming healthcare crisis that is upon us."
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-threaten-see-trump-team-in-court-over-illegal-firings-shutdown-battle-escalates