- Disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over whether a new funding bill
- The subsidies must be part of any deal to reopen government operations
- Democrats “selfish” and blamed them for what he called the “Democrat shutdown.”
Isaac Adegboye
The United States government shutdown entered its third day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump signaling he may use the moment to slash what he called “Democrat agencies.”
Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump said he and Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would review which federal programs to cut, framing the standoff as a chance to “clear out dead wood.”
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The deadlock stems from disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over whether a new funding bill should include subsidies for low-income healthcare. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have rejected those demands, while Democrats insist the subsidies must be part of any deal to reopen government operations.
As negotiations stall, the effects of the shutdown are starting to be felt. Roughly 750,000 federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave, according to the Congressional Budget Office, while others deemed “essential” including law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers, and TSA staff continue to work without pay.
National landmarks such as museums in Washington and New York have closed, although the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain open, with the Department of the Interior crediting Trump’s directive for keeping them accessible.
The White House has already moved to freeze or cancel billions of dollars in projects, including $18 billion in infrastructure spending in New York, home to Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.
Schumer and Jeffries accused Republicans of playing politics with federal services, while Johnson labeled Democrats “selfish” and blamed them for what he called the “Democrat shutdown.”
The Senate remains at the heart of the impasse. Republicans need eight Democratic votes to pass a funding measure, while Democrats require support from 13 Republicans. Only three Democrats sided with Republicans in the last failed vote. Another attempt to break the stalemate is expected Friday afternoon.
Pollsters say blame for the shutdown falls largely along party lines. Lee Miringoff of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion noted that majorities of Republicans and Democrats hold the opposing side responsible, while 41% of independents say both are equally at fault.
With little progress in Washington, analysts expect pressure to mount only when Americans feel sharper impacts from the shutdown, from delayed services to disruptions in air travel, forcing lawmakers back to the negotiating table.
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