White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned on Friday, October 17, that President Donald Trump may intensify measures if the shutdown of the United States government continues. Kevin Hassett said that if there is no progress in the impasse with Democrats and the shutdown continues into the coming weekend, President Trump is likely to escalate actions.
Hassett did not say what steps the Republican president might take if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement. “If the shutdown continues beyond this weekend, expect Trump to step up action,” said Kevin Hassett.
Last week, layoffs began across the US federal government as Trump followed through on a threat to cut the federal workforce during the government shutdown, which entered its 17th day today.
Meanwhile, Democrats have said no breakthrough with Republicans is possible unless President Donald Trump shows any interest in brokering a compromise — a compromise needed to end a government shutdown that has prompted thousands of layoffs.
The House has been out of session for nearly a month, and Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats until a short-term funding measure is passed to reopen the government.
The Trump administration has previously said it plans to pay more than 70,000 sworn law enforcement officers during the ongoing government shutdown.
The Department of Homeland Security said more than 70,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the department, including those serving in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration and other critical missions, will be paid for all hours worked during the shutdown.
Earlier, Donald Trump ordered his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “use all available means” to secure the pay of United States troops. Donald Trump, citing his authority as commander-in-chief, said the necessary funds had been identified and would be released to pay the troops.
In a post on X, Donald Trump said: “Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day is better’ during their radical leftist shutdown. I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of ‘Leader’ Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss their rightful paychecks on October 15th.”
“Therefore, I am using my authority as Commander in Chief to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”
