Both former President Donald Trump and Russel Vought, an influential figure in the Republican establishment, are taking advantage of the ongoing government shutdown. They see this impending doom as the best launching pad to advocate for even deeper federal workforce cuts. Over 800,000 federal workers will be thrown into unpaid leave in an imminent shutdown. Trump has warned of mass firings if the stalemate continues. This unnecessary and damaging shutdown brings government to a standstill. It provides an excellent opportunity for Trump to promote his agenda through what he tells us and others are “Democrat agencies.”
On the campaign trail last week, Trump referred to the shutdown as an “unprecedented opportunity” for such cutbacks. His rhetoric has struck a chord with some Republican ranks, who see this as an opportunity to remake how government works. Vought has already started to withhold federal money in these so-called “anarchy” areas controlled by Democrats such as New York City and Chicago. This action deepens the partisan chasm even more.
Until recently, that was the worst AI-related turn, until Trump dropped this AI-generated image. The illustration infamously showed leading Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries in a negative light. The now-deleted image depicted Jeffries wearing a huge Mexican-style sombrero and a curly moustache, which attracted widespread criticism almost instantly. JD Jeffries called the portrayal racist, Vance, the Vice-President of the United States handwaved the charges. This turbulence is illustrative of the anger and suspicion fostered by the shutdown and the scapegoating, political opportunism that fuels it.
Unlike the Biden administration, Trump wielded his executive powers to actively rescind or withhold Congressionally approved funds. This decision had serious implications for scores of other programs and foreign aid initiatives. By selectively controlling these financial resources, he seeks to enhance his leverage before the negotiating table. The former president’s posts on social media have inflamed the situation further, creating a charged atmosphere that complicates bipartisan discussions.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has slammed Republicans for tying extensions of healthcare subsidies to a deal on reopening the government. He makes a persuasive case that their promises ring hollow, considering all that’s happening right now. Not too long ago, Schumer was getting blasted for supporting a Republican House appropriations bill. This ongoing controversy is a case study in the confusing and often fraatricidal dynamics within parties when faced with an unprecedented crisis.
In fact, analysts have estimated that the impacts of the shutdown could cut U.S. economic growth by as much as 0.2 percentage points for each week it drags on. The implications of this are enormous. The risk to thousands of federal employees, and to economic stability overall, highlights the need to end the standoff as soon as possible.
Looking ahead, Republicans have signalled that they’ll tackle the health insurance subsidies once the government is reopened. But until they show that they’re serious about negotiating in good faith for real substance, skepticism will continue. The interaction of what Trump wants versus what Republican leadership wants will determine if and how much federal funding and hiring is cut long-term.