US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Democrats for prolonging the ongoing government shutdown, saying the stalemate gives him leverage to permanently eliminate what he called Democratic “welfare programs.”
“The Democrats are kamikaze right now. They are kamikaze pilots right now. They have nothing to do. They have no future,” Trump said during an exclusive interview with Fox News.
Trump is targeting Democratic leadership
Trump argued that Democrats lack effective leadership and strong candidates for the upcoming election. He suggested the shutdown would allow his administration to cut billions from programs traditionally championed by Republicans.
“They didn’t realize it gave me the right to cut programs that Republicans never wanted — you know, handouts, welfare programs,” he said. “And that’s what we do. We trim them permanently.”
According to the Trump administration, the shutdown rules allow certain federal programs and projects to be frozen or suspended.
Impacts of the shutdown and democratic concerns
The government shutdown, now entering its third week, began after Democrats refused to pass a funding bill unless it included an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire in 2025. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain without pay.
Democrats warn that inaction before open enrollment in November could result in higher insurance premiums for millions of Americans. The White House countered that Democrats are pushing for billions in Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants, which Trump said could “jeopardize” health care for American citizens.
