City in Trump’s country where an ax rises

It has been three months since Jonathan Giba moved to temporary housing for veterans from homeless hospital for former US military members in West Virginia.

He was waiting for medical and dental consultations after the medicines that were previously prescribed to him left him without teeth and could not walk. Now that the government is closed, it is preparing to wait longer.

He calls it “political BS.” The Hospital of American Veterans (VA), where G -H Giba remains in Martinsburg, West Virginia, still provides medical help, but VA has stopped other programs that help veterans find a job and transition from military life.

“Turning off is a waste of time and it hurts me in the meantime,” says the army veteran.

Martinsburg is an American city Particularly fixed to feel the impact of suspending the US government.

A city of nearly 20,000 people about 85 miles (136 km) outside Washington, federal agencies work over 3,300 people in the area, between the veterans hospital, an internal revenue processing facility (IRS) and a agricultural support service.

Another thousands of federal workers travel to the capital of the nation every day at the Amtrak Station in the center of Martinsburg.

This is a country of Trump, where 67% voted for the President in 2024 and fierce independence puts something like thinking about work.

Due to the suspension of the government, the event in the community nearby – the Run Run racing series – changed its route from trails near a federal civil war field site, but otherwise continued as planned. Harper’s ferry, national park and nearby tourist equality, is open with state money.

But political removal in Washington and the perception of lack of concern for everyday Americans is not far from the minds of people. And they are worried about what comes when the exclusion is dragged.

On a frivolous warm Monday, almost six days after the US government closed, Mr Giba sits under the shade of large cigarettes with smoking trees with fellow veterans.

One of them, Troy Williams, says politics hurts average Americans. “It’s not a Democrat or a Republican issue,” he says, “That’s why they don’t work on a problem with the solution.”

Air Force veteran Marcellus is concerned about what is to come. “We’re in the limbs, it’s scary.”

Republicans and Democrats were closed to state funding as it expired on October 1, and a large part of the government closed, putting over 700,000 people on unpaid leave. About 200,000 other workers who consider “essentials” work without pay, as political opposition is attracted.

Washington politicians have pointed fingers in the direction of the enemy party. On Friday, the White House began to fire thousands of federal officials.

In a country already affected by the reduction of jobs by the Trump administration’s efforts to scale the federal workforce, the suspension threatens even more steady losses, Kelly Allen, CEO of the Center for Budget and Policy of West Virginia.

“We have more federal government officials than coal miners in West Virginia,” she says. “Of course, these jobs are paid well, come with good benefits and in a state of not very good paying jobs, they are really important.”

Tina Hysma, an employee of small business in the area, saw the impact of the government’s suspension on her neighbors first -hand.

“This hurts small businesses, they can cancel services, they cannot shop locally,” she tells federal workers. “The exclusion of the government has a huge influence and it is really scary. I just pray that all this will disappear.”

The Ministry of Agriculture Service Center (USDA) – which serves the seven surrounding counties – close its door.

The Office – responsible for supporting farmers, ranches and landowners with tasks such as applying for agricultural loans and disaster assistance – will remain closed until the government is reopened.

And on Wednesday, IRS enchanted 34,000 workers, so the Martinsburg Service Center could soon be affected.

History shows that as the stopping continues, more services are reduced or closed due to lack of funding.

Until now, Western Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito has remained unknown, despite the potential impact on the areas it represents as Martinsburg. She voted with the Republicans to ensure state funding without health subsidies that Democrats want. The proposals of both sides have repeatedly failed.

In the local option, Moore Capito noted that West Virginia has the third highest number of federal employees per capita in the country, but accused the irreconcilability of the Democrats.

“These are our neighbors and friends – people who keep our miners in safety, process the benefits of veterans, provide our borders and keep drugs outside our communities. Now they are facing uncertain about their pay checks.”

When the first inspections after the arrival of the stop – or not – on Friday, this impact may finally hit.

With previous excludes, federal workers who went without pay were returned, but it remains unclear if this would be the case this time.

“Economic loss can have broad consequences for local communities, businesses and households. This can cause long -term damage to local economies,” says resident Mark Muligan.

“West Virginia is a poor country and depends on federal jobs and distribution. Pain for the elderly, disabled and children can be catastrophic.”