Just a few years ago during the government shutdown controllers were legit concerned about being paid (and from what I recall - they weren't. Airlines were literally sending pizzas to control towers and facilities).

You’re claiming that federal employees weren’t paid at all?

I believe during the shutdown there was a period they weren't receiving compensation for hours worked. Keep in mind that due to understaffing - folks were already working additional hours/days on top of that. I believe they eventually got paid out months after it, but a bit of a raw deal and could make you think twice about working for the govt.

I believe you’re just making this up. People are paid generally on a biweekly or weekly basis, the shutdown lasted a few days, even if the fed missed a payday, there is no chance it wasn’t paid the following payday. Not trusting the federal government to pay means not trusting in the US dollar at all… kinda unlikely.