United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration plans to use the ongoing government shutdown to permanently eliminate programs popular among Democrats, escalating tensions amid the funding deadlock in Washington.
Speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting, Trump described the shutdown as an “opportunity” to “reshape wasteful government spending” and target what he called “unnecessary Democrat-backed programs.”
The president did not specify which programs could face cuts but emphasized that his administration would “take strong steps” to ensure taxpayer money is “used wisely.”
The government shutdown, now in its second week, has disrupted several federal operations and left thousands of government workers furloughed. Negotiations between the White House and Congressional Democrats remain stalled, with no immediate breakthrough in sight.
Trump’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, who accused the president of “weaponizing the shutdown” to push partisan policy goals.