John,
As of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time today, the United States government is closed.
Crucial government services aren’t delivered. Federal employees are furloughed without pay (apart from workers who are deemed “essential”).
Government shutdowns have happened before. I’ve lived through them during my time in various administrations.
This is not a normal government shutdown.
Watch my latest video with Inequality Media Civic Action where I explain the stakes and how we got here.
The Trump regime, along with Republicans, wanted to fund the government with a continuing resolution that would have kept existing funding levels the same.
But if Democrats had accepted that deal, they would have effectively given approval to all of the terrible and wildly unpopular policies that Trump has pushed through since retaking office.
That includes his devastating cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting.
It also includes Trump’s signature piece of legislation, the Big Ugly Bill, which gives the richest Americans a giant tax cut — financed largely by cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and clean energy programs.
Why the hell would any Democrat go along with that?
I’ve lived through government shutdowns. Under normal circumstances, I understand why compromises are made to keep the government running. I have been in favor of keeping the government running.
But our government is not running right now. It’s effectively been shut down for months as Trump has destroyed checks and balances, usurped the power of the purse from Congress, and unleashed an authoritarian nightmare throughout the country.
Democrats must not cave in this shutdown fight! They must not operate as if what Trump is doing right now is normal. It’s not.
Watch our latest video to learn more about what Democrats need to do to protect the American people from Trump’s agenda.
This is an opportunity for Democrats to fight back, not capitulate.
If you agree, then please share our video to make sure everyone knows the truth about the Trump-Republican shutdown.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
