President Trump on Friday predicted that the government may shut down “for a period of time” as Senate Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over a funding agreement. He noted that with Republicans holding 53 seats, they would still need at least seven Democrats to join them to keep the government open. Trump expressed doubt about that possibility, saying talks with Democrats would continue but warning that a closure looked increasingly likely.
He emphasized that essential programs like the military and Social Security would still be funded, but suggested that many Democratic priorities would not. “We’ll take care of the things we have to take care of,” Trump said, adding that if Democrats refused to budge, many of the policies they push for “will not be able to be paid.”
Earlier in the day, House Republicans passed a short-term spending bill without Democratic input in an attempt to prevent a shutdown. Senate Democrats quickly blocked it, and Republicans later shot down a Democratic alternative that would have extended government funding until the end of October. The standoff heightened the likelihood of a lapse in government operations.
Republicans dismissed the Democratic plan as a $1.5 trillion “wish list” that stood no chance of being signed into law. Trump questioned whether a deal was even possible, saying, “I don’t know if you can make a deal with these people. I think these people are crazy.”
The president also singled out Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) for praise, thanking him for pushing back against a shutdown. “He wants to keep the country open,” Trump said. “We’re doing so well as a country.”