The Trump administration is exploiting federal workers as bargaining chips and imposing unfair burdens on them during the government shutdown.

Democrats were right to draw a line in the sand by refusing to reopen the government without an agreement to extend health care subsidies and reverse the deep Medicaid cuts Republicans pushed through in July. Without action, premiums will soar for the more than 20 million Americans who receive subsidies for coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. States are already reeling from the Medicaid reductions.

The administration has created a two-tier workforce: paying “mission-critical” workers such as military and ICE agents while leaving tens of thousands of others — including 60,000 aviation safety staff — to work without pay.

It has also seized on the shutdown to shrink the federal workforce further. As the impasse drags into its fourth week, many furloughed and unpaid workers now fear permanent layoffs.The president has even suggested withholding back pay once the shutdown ends.

Throughout, the administration has acted with little regard for court orders, union protections and the essential services that federal employees provide.

Republicans must join Democrats in restoring health care subsidies and Medicaid funding. The administration must be held accountable for running roughshod over the nation’s workers.