President Donald Trump escalated his standoff with Democrats on Tuesday, declaring that Republicans “will not be extorted” as the government shutdown dragged into its third week.
“I want to just say from the beginning, our message has been very simple. We will not be extorted on this crazy plot of theirs,” Trump said at the White House Rose Garden alongside Senate Republicans.
“They’ve never done this before. They are the obstructionists,” he continued, drawing applause from GOP lawmakers. “You know, the country is so hot right now, and they’ve never voted against, you know, continuation. They’ve never voted against. They’ve never done that. They’re doing this because they have Trump derangement syndrome.”
The shutdown has become a test of political will as Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demand guarantees to extend health-care subsidies and Medicaid protections as part of any funding deal. On Monday, the Senate failed for the eleventh time to advance a funding measure that would have kept the government open through Nov. 21, falling 10 votes short of the 60 required.
During his speech, Trump said he was willing to meet again with Schumer and Jeffries, but only after Democrats agree to reopen the government.
“They have to let the country open. The people want to go back to work. They want to be served. They want to—they need the services of some people. And a lot of people need the money, the payroll,” he stated. “So, I’ll do it as soon as they open up the country.”
Schumer fired back within hours, saying Trump should not leave for his upcoming Asia trip without negotiating an end to the shutdown.
“The country is in a health-care crisis unlike we’ve ever seen,” Schumer told ABC News. “Trump has an obligation to negotiate with us and solve this problem.
However, Republicans dismissed Schumer’s call as political theater, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune insisting that Democrats were to blame for the impasse.
“We’re hopeful this will be the week they come to their senses and decide to open up the government,” Thune said. “We’re going to give them several opportunities, as you know, to do that. At some point, the Democrats are going to have to take yes for an answer.”
On Capitol Hill, the House is not in session, and the Senate has not scheduled a new vote on a short-term funding bill. Meanwhile, the shutdown’s impact continues to ripple across Washington. Federal employees are expected to miss their first full paycheck on Friday, while federal courts begin cutting operations.
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