US Government Shutdown: Trump Signals Further Cuts, Blames Democrats
WASHINGTON – As the US government shutdown continues, former President Trump has indicated he will advise the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought on potential cuts to federal agencies, characterizing many as a “political SCAM.” This escalation in rhetoric comes as the White House has already begun pausing or canceling billions in funding, particularly targeting states with Democratic leadership.
The move intensifies a standoff with Democrats over budget negotiations and represents a meaningful shift towards perhaps deep and lasting reductions in federal spending. The shutdown impacts hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupts government services nationwide, with the potential for broader economic consequences.
This morning, Trump posted on Truth social stating his intention to discuss agency cuts with Vought, leaving open the possibility of both temporary and permanent reductions. The management has already taken action to pause funding for projects in Democratic-led states, including $18 billion earmarked for infrastructure projects in New York, the home state of Senator chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
the department of Housing and Urban development (HUD) prominently displays a message on its website blaming “The Radical Left in Congress” for the government shutdown.
speaker Mike Johnson defended the HUD website’s message, stating at a press conference today, “I think what the HUD website says is the objective truth that we’re telling you right now… They are the ones who made that decision.”
However, the administration’s tactics are facing opposition even within the Republican party. Congressman Mike Lawler of New York released a statement yesterday “strongly oppos[ing] these harmful cuts, which undermine, amongst other things, our counterterrorism efforts and critical infrastructure projects in New York.”
The outcome of Trump’s conversation with OMB Director Vought is expected later today and will likely reveal further details about the scope and nature of potential cuts.
