WASHINGTON (AP) — The President donald trump We are not restricting travel. He’s not avoiding golf or making do with a skeletal staff in the west wing. flat The burgers served at the White House are not McDonald’sAt this time.
In past government shutdowns, including during President Trump’s first term, presidents typically scaled back their schedules. With employees deemed “non-essential” sent home, the White House often sought to appear sympathetic to Americans affected by disruptions to health care, veterans benefits and other vital services.
Current shutdown has ended Approximately 750,000 federal employees furloughed Some people work without pay. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding has expired After Friday — Affects 1 in 8 Americans who use the service to purchase groceries.
Nevertheless, the past 29 days have been pretty much business as usual for President Trump.
“It’s like that country song, ‘Falling can feel like flying for a little while,’ and they’re like, ‘So far, so good,'” said Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to President Bill Clinton who led two government shutdowns in 1995 and 1996.
Ballroom construction, golf, fundraising, travel
President Trump is 6 day swing Recently, through Asia, A whirlwind visit to the Middle East To celebrate US intermediaries armistice agreement in Israel and Hamas war in Gaza. He hosted a fundraiser at the White House for $300 million in major donors. ballroom I’ve seen construction workers demolish the east wingheld another fundraiser at their Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida.
Ministers also traveled. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Israel, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned protests in Portland, Oregon, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toured the Navy’s elite combat weapons school Top Gun in Nevada.
According to one source, only 32% of presidential staff were scheduled to be furloughed during the current shutdown. emergency report From the White House Budget Office. down from 61% during the last shutdown President Trump’s first term in 2018-19. About half of Executive Mansion’s team of housekeepers, ushers, valets and butlers are currently working. Last time, more than 70% of employees were furloughed.
With so many staff remaining at their desks, it is often difficult to know that a closure is occurring.
“I don’t even know if they’re supposed to be working, but they’re not going to take a day off,” Trump said at an event last week.
This is a departure from President Trump’s first term, when he canceled weekend golf games and canceled events. Plan a trip to Mar-a-Lago for Christmas During the 2018 shutdown, it lasted until the new year. he, Surprise visit to troops stationed in Iraq Plans to go to the Swiss Alps to attend the World Economic Forum were then scrapped.
In inviting Clemson University football players to the NCAA football championship celebration, President Trump hamburger and fries Pizza was provided by McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Domino’s Pizza for furloughed White House staff.
This time, the president invited Republican senators to lunch and also served them hamburgers. But the staff made it for me. “They’re serving great food at the White House,” Trump said.
“A smarter approach”
Allies say there are political advantages for Mr. Trump to move forward as if there is no government shutdown, allowing him to look presidential while avoiding bickering in Congress.
“This is a much more sensible approach,” said Marc Short, former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff.
During President Trump’s first government shutdown, he rejected a Congressional compromise to force the shutdown, an attempt to obtain funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He then named Mr. Pence as the chief negotiator to end the government shutdown, involving his son-in-law Jared Kushner, creating an image that the two must go to the Capitol.
“At the first go-around, with the cameras rolling, he was very clear. He said he wanted closure. He claimed ownership,” Short said. At this time? “The White House has made it clear that it doesn’t own it.”
Mr. Begala recalled discussing strategy with Mr. Clinton during a sweaty summer run at Fort McNair in Washington in 1995, when he told the president that Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his party “think they can roll you over” to threaten a shutdown and cut Medicare.
“‘My favorite movie is ‘High Noon,'” Begala recalled, referring to the 1952 Western about a marshal taking on outlaws. “‘They do that–and I just have a Gary Cooper high-day moment. It’s easy.'”
Later, when Mr. Gingrich visited the White House to negotiate, Mr. Begala said that Mr. Clinton would not budge, even though some advisers urged Mr. Clinton to reach a deal. Voters ultimately blamed Congressional Republicans rather than the White House for the government shutdown, and Clinton was easily reelected in 1996.
“That could have turned out really bad for Clinton,” Begala said. “But he understood that it would be really good for him to stand strong and have a Gary Cooper-like moment.”
Past White Houses have emphasized the impact of shutdowns.
During the 16-day government shutdown in 2013, President Barack Obama canceled a trip to four Asian countries and did not attend a glitzy celebration of the Hispanic Congress. His schedule included events illustrating the effects of the government shutdown, including a visit to a Maryland construction company that benefited from federal business loans that were at risk during the shutdown.
In 2019, Due to the extended shutdownTrump White House officials have acknowledged feeling pressure to end it, fearing it could hurt Trump’s poll numbers. This time, the administration’s public messages have criticized Democrats while suggesting it is prepared to wait and even warning that travel could be delayed over the Thanksgiving holiday.
“President Trump continues to work day and night on behalf of the American people,” White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said in a statement. “The entire administration, including the President, will continue to focus on the workers and families who are suffering from the Democrats’ decision to shut down the government.”
Bill Daley, who served as President Obama’s chief of staff for several years before the 2013 government shutdown, said President Trump does not seem to have any political enthusiasm for reopening the government, even ahead of next Tuesday’s gubernatorial election. virginia and new jersey — both are home to a significant federal workforce.
“My guess is that he thinks it will help him,” Daly said. “Until the bottom falls out, we won’t know if that will happen.”
The Democratic Party is request an extension Tax credits that helped millions of people afford health insurance are expiring, and Republicans are refusing to negotiate until the government is reopened.
President Trump has said the government needs to be reopened, but he has also used the government shutdown to suppress economic activity. Federal Government Position and Target Programs Favored by DemocratsMeanwhile, he will direct funds toward his own priorities, such as covering the salaries of military personnel. The president even said that closed museums “probably should open,” but that hasn’t happened yet.
On the other hand, Americans are divided over who is to blame.
Approximately 6/10 say A recent poll found that President Trump and Republicans in Congress bear “a great deal” or “a great deal” of responsibility for the government shutdown, while 54% say the same about Democrats in Congress. Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Center.
Mike McCulley, who served as White House press secretary during the Clinton administration, said Democrats have yet to decide on a clear shutdown message that will resonate. Although Trump has the power to express his views as president, McCurry said he was “capricious.”
“It’s unlikely that there will be clear winners and losers after this,” McCurry said. “It’s going to be a little confusing.”
