President Donald Trump has intensified rhetoric as the US government shutdown entered its third day, vowing to identify and cut what he called “Democrat Agencies.” He framed the shutdown as an opportunity to “clear out dead wood,” signaling no intent to make concessions to Democrats who are demanding that a funding bill include healthcare insurance subsidies. Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill continued trading blame, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees either furloughed or working without pay, while some government attractions closed and others, such as the Statue of Liberty, remained open.
Trump was scheduled to meet with Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to determine which agencies and workers would be deemed essential and which would be sidelined. Already, the administration has moved to halt billions in federal funds tied to Democratic-led states, including $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York, home to key Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.
Negotiations remain at a standstill, with Republicans insisting on a clean funding bill and Democrats pressing for health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans. The Senate requires bipartisan support, with Republicans needing eight Democrats and Democrats needing thirteen Republicans to pass any measure. A new vote is expected Friday, but so far neither party appears willing to yield.
House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of forcing a “Democrat shutdown,” while Jeffries countered that Republicans are blocking essential healthcare support. Polling shows Americans divided largely along party lines, with independents often assigning blame to both sides. Analysts believe real pressure will mount only when Americans begin feeling the shutdown’s direct impact. For now, essential services such as air travel and law enforcement continue, but federal workers and tourists face growing disruptions as Washington struggles to find common ground.
