Trump Targets ‘Democrat Agencies’ Amid Capitol Hill Blame Game

As the U.S. government shutdown entered its third day, President Donald Trump announced plans to identify “Democrat Agencies” for potential cuts. This statement comes as both Republicans and Democrats engage in a fierce blame game on Capitol Hill over the inability to pass funding legislation.

Government Shutdown Overview

Currently, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are either on unpaid leave or working without pay. This shutdown has closed various federal attractions, while some, like the Statue of Liberty, remain open.

Current State of Affairs

• Trump’s meetings focused on budget implications, aiming to “clear out dead wood.”
• Senate Republicans require eight Democratic votes for funding, while Democrats need thirteen Republican votes.
• Only three Democrats collaborated with Republicans on the last Senate vote, which failed.

Financial Implications

On the first day of the shutdown, Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), stated that the White House paused funding directed to Democratic states. This included major infrastructure projects in New York, totaling approximately $18 billion.

Political Reactions

House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the situation as a “Democrat shutdown,” refusing to negotiate any additional measures, including healthcare subsidies. On the other hand, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries attributed responsibility for the stalemate to Republicans, arguing that they are unwilling to support healthcare for working-class Americans.

Public Opinion and Future Prospects

Polls conducted by Marist University Institute for Public Opinion reveal that public sentiment is largely divided along party lines regarding responsibility for the shutdown. Notably, 41% of independent voters believe both parties share equal blame for the current crisis.

Effects of the Shutdown

• Approximately 750,000 federal workers are anticipated to be on unpaid leave.
• Essential employees, such as more than 200,000 law enforcement officers, continue to work without pay.
• Air travel is currently unaffected, as TSA agents and air traffic controllers are considered essential.

Attraction Status

The ongoing shutdown has affected access to numerous federal sites, prominently impacting popular destinations:

• Federal Hall in Manhattan is closed.
• The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain open.
• The Smithsonian museums can operate for about a week due to existing funds.

As the situation develops, analysts suggest that pressure from the general public may eventually prompt lawmakers to reach a resolution on the shutdown and its broader impacts on everyday Americans.