Trump administration officials promised three months’ paid maternity leave that they would receive their full benefits after the Biden government took over, but according to a new report, they were disappointed that their requests were denied.
Politico reported that Trump appointees received mixed messages about continuing their leave in light of the end of their term in the White House, and in some cases were surprised to find that as soon as January 20 arrives, their benefits would be taken away.
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‘I could have left earlier, but I did not, because I was told’ hey, you’re on paternity leave ‘, and if I knew you were not going to use your paternity leave and you are actually I’m just going to give you ‘If I had a new baby and then got fired, I would probably have made a different decision,’ ‘a former senior Trump official told the office.
The official said he only took three weeks off after his wife gave birth in December, and then had to go back to work to help the government in the aftermath of the January 6 riot. He was under the impression that he would not lose the remaining nine weeks of paid leave, which was allegedly worth at least $ 20,000.
A man and woman who both worked at the Department of Homeland Security said they were specifically told that their benefits would be treated the same as as federal employees in the career, and that they would have expected leave as such even after their jobs at the end of Trump’s term. The report said on January 5, less than three weeks after their baby was born, that it was a mistake.
“It’s one thing if you have a household, if you have one family member who works for the government,” the man said. ‘But we were both employed by the government, so we’re both losing our healthcare opportunities and both our income, so it’s pretty scary to have a premature baby at home and not know if you’re going to have an income or health insurance. “
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The couple sent a letter to Biden’s DHS review team on January 13 asking for continued benefits. Five days later, they received a reply denying their request.
“This is not what you were hoping to hear, but I think you also knew it was the most likely outcome,” the reply read. “I’m sorry I’m the news bearer and I have no other news.
The officials are now being put under greater pressure to get new jobs while also looking after a newborn.
A current White House official blamed the Trump administration for the unfortunate circumstances.
“We understand that a number of Trump appointments, including a handful of currently parental leave, have prompted requests to stay on the government’s payroll,” the official told Politico. “Because these requests were received so close to the Inauguration Day, there was no way to implement an exception to the rule in a manner that is fair to all outgoing appointments, including many who resigned as expected without requesting extraordinary benefits. to do.”
The White House official said Trump officials have options to obtain health insurance through COBRA or the Affordable Care Act. According to Politico, Trump officials still have their health insurance from the government 31 days after their departure.
Fox News reached out to the White House for further comment on Politico’s report, but they did not immediately respond.
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The 12 weeks of paid leave offered to federal workers came as a result of the Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act, which was passed in December 2019 and went into effect in October 2020. This requires workers to agree to continue working for another 12 weeks after their leave. , but does not say whether the government can waive the requirement.
Biden came forward in support of the law.
“It has been a long time since every American had 12 weeks’ paid leave to address their own health needs or to look after their loved ones,” he said at the time.