Following a weeklong diplomatic trip to Asia, President Donald Trump has entered the ongoing government shutdown debate in Washington with a bold suggestion. He urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, allowing them to unilaterally reopen the government. However, this request was swiftly dismissed by Majority Leader John Thune, indicating that the deadlock between Republicans and Democrats persists, with no clear resolution in sight. If the shutdown continues beyond Wednesday, it will mark the longest in U.S. history.
A recent poll conducted by ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos revealed that more Americans attribute blame for the shutdown to Trump and the Republicans rather than the Democrats. As the shutdown drags on, the political implications for Trump may grow more severe, especially as ordinary citizens begin to experience the effects—such as increased lines at food banks and aviation delays.
One pressing concern is the impending lapse of the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this Saturday. This situation places approximately 42 million Americans who depend on food stamps in jeopardy, as they may not receive their benefits. Additionally, this Saturday marks the beginning of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act recipients, many of whom will face significantly higher insurance premiums due to expiring tax credits. Democrats are calling on President Trump and the Republicans to collaborate on extending these ACA subsidies, while Republicans insist they will not negotiate until the government is reopened.
On Friday, President Trump reiterated his hardline stance, stating, "I'm always willing to meet. All they have to do is open up the country." He made these remarks as he disembarked from Air Force One in Florida, where he plans to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Meanwhile, lawmakers are out of session, with the House not meeting next week and the Senate scheduled to return on Monday night.
Despite the shutdown, Trump has taken steps to ensure military personnel continue to receive their pay. He accepted a $130 million donation from a private donor and the White House Office of Management and Budget reallocated $5.3 billion from other sources to cover military salaries. However, when asked if similar measures could be taken for SNAP funding, Trump stated that the Democrats must take the first step by agreeing to reopen the government.
During a news conference on Friday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins asserted that the department's contingency fund cannot legally be used to support SNAP during the shutdown. She explained that this fund can only be activated if the underlying appropriation is approved, and even if it could be accessed, it would not cover half of November's needs. This situation raises concerns about a repeat of the current crisis in just two weeks.
SNAP funding has recently become the subject of numerous lawsuits, with several Democratic states suing the administration to ensure continued financial support for the program. A federal judge issued a temporary order on Friday mandating that the Trump administration maintain SNAP funding, although the administration may appeal this decision. Later that evening, Trump took to his social media platform, expressing willingness to provide funding for SNAP, similar to what he did for military and law enforcement pay, if the courts clarify the legal avenues for doing so.
Trump is facing criticism from Democrats who argue he has not done enough to resolve the crisis. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of prioritizing international relations over domestic issues, referring to his dealings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Schumer characterized Trump as a "vindictive politician and a heartless man" during his address on the Senate floor.
Conversely, Republicans maintain that it is the Democrats who are holding the government hostage. Vice President JD Vance expressed frustration on Thursday, stating that such behavior is uncharacteristic of a responsible governing party and warned that holiday travel could face severe disruptions if the impasse continues. Trump, meanwhile, has publicly labeled the Democrats as having "lost their minds," further escalating the political rhetoric surrounding the shutdown.
