At some point, I have to believe the right plaintiff and lawyer could get to the right federal judge with a persuasive case that you can’t simultaneously force someone to work and not pay them.

Didn’t we settle the legality of that 150-some years ago?

Seems to me the shutdown theater depends on the idea that it doesn’t “really” affect most of us because essential work still goes on, paid or unpaid. But if TSA workers and border agents and federal prison guards all get the word that if they’re not being paid, they can’t be compelled to come to work… that, I’d think, would be a game changer.