The numbers tell a stark story. Federal workers entering their second month without paychecks. Military personnel serving their country with delayed compensation. Millions of Americans wondering if their food assistance will arrive next month. And a government shutdown inching closer to becoming the longest in American history.
President Trump is not backing down. In a recent interview, he placed the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of congressional Democrats, calling them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way.” His strategy for ending the impasse? Simple, he says: “Keep voting.”
The shutdown began a month ago and is rapidly approaching the 35-day record established during the 2018-2019 shutdown in Trump’s first term. This time around, the sticking point involves health care subsidies for the more than 20 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. Democrats want Republicans to extend government support for these programs. The President has yet to offer a concrete alternative plan.
The human toll mounts daily. Furloughed federal employees face empty bank accounts. Active-duty military and deployed National Guard members must report for duty knowing their pay will not arrive until this political standoff ends. Perhaps most concerning, millions of Americans risk losing their November food stamp benefits if the shutdown drags on.
The President insists Republicans are voting nearly unanimously to end the shutdown while Democrats continue blocking these efforts. He pointed to historical precedent, noting that Democrats have traditionally voted for extensions during previous shutdowns, approximately 18 times by his count, always requesting more time to negotiate.
Without federal subsidies, insurance costs under Obamacare could double. Trump called the program “terrible” and characterized it as “bad health care at far too high a price.” His proposed solution involves Democrats allowing the government to reopen first, then negotiating health care fixes afterward.
“We should fix that. Fix it. And we can fix it with the Democrats,” Trump stated. “All they have to do is let the country open and we’ll fix it.”
The President has discussed overhauling the health care system throughout his political career. He referenced the 2017 near-miss when Senate Republicans fell one vote short of partially repealing Obamacare. No replacement plan emerged then, and the President did not present a specific alternative during his recent interview.
Trump’s approach to this shutdown differs markedly from previous ones. In the past, he brought congressional members to the White House for direct negotiations. Not this time.
“I’m not going to do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way,” he declared. “There’s something wrong with these people.”
The President expressed confidence that Democrats will eventually relent and vote to end the shutdown. His fallback position involves eliminating the Senate filibuster, allowing Republicans to pass legislation with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes currently required.
“We should do the nuclear option, ending the filibuster,” Trump said. “If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has publicly stated his unwillingness to pursue that route, creating potential friction within Republican leadership.
“The Republicans have to get tougher,” Trump insisted. “We’re not going to lose power.”
The President shared these views during his first interview with a major network in five years, coming after he sued and subsequently settled with the network’s parent company over a 2024 interview.
As the shutdown continues, the question remains whether either side will blink before the record books are rewritten and more Americans feel the consequences of Washington’s inability to govern.
Related: Federal Judges Demand SNAP Benefits Continue as President Points to Democratic Obstruction
