Donald Trump is standing firm in the face of the US government shutdown, labeled “authoritarian” by experts. The shutdown commenced on Wednesday, with the President vowing significant layoffs of federal employees due to the inability of Congress to agree on new spending plans before the deadline.
Instead of the usual furlough of 750,000 workers during shutdowns, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that dismissals are imminent. Vice-President JD Vance joined Leavitt to criticize Democrats for playing political games and urged them to prioritize reopening the government over complaining about the administration’s response.
The shutdown is expected to cause widespread disruption for Americans in October, affecting various sectors like air travel and park access. While most Department of Homeland Security personnel will remain on duty, around 14,000 employees are set to be furloughed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of increasing hardships as the shutdown prolongs, citing the inevitable consequences of a government closure. Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the University of Essex believes that Trump will not back down and can shift blame to the Democrats for the shutdown.
According to Lindstaedt, the government shutdown is a result of the lack of compromise in US politics, particularly regarding healthcare protections. She highlighted the Democrats’ concerns that millions could lose healthcare access and face drastic premium increases. With Trump aiming to hold his ground, reminiscent of previous shutdowns, the political atmosphere remains polarized.
As Congress remains deadlocked, the Trump administration is taking advantage of new opportunities to influence federal operations. Lindstaedt points out that Trump’s willingness to shut down the government reflects his increasingly authoritarian approach, characterized by a tendency to threaten rather than negotiate.
In light of Trump’s past shutdown tactics, the current situation signals a shift towards more authoritarian governance if he maintains his stance without concessions.