Washington, D.C. — Donald Trump has taken the government funding showdown to a dangerous edge. With just hours left to avoid a shutdown, he’s warning that his administration could make “irreversible” spending cuts if lawmakers fail to strike a deal.
Trump Raises the Stakes
At the White House, Trump told reporters that a shutdown is not guaranteed but looks increasingly likely. He argued that Republicans don’t want it but made clear he’s ready to act if it happens.
“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them,” Trump said. “Like cutting vast numbers of people out… cutting programs that they like.”
His comments sent a clear message: if Democrats don’t cooperate, the administration will take aggressive steps during the shutdown.
Senate Republicans Point to Democrats
Senate Majority Leader John Thune blamed Democrats for blocking a Republican spending bill that he says would keep the government open. He accused them of putting federal workers at risk for “partisan purposes” and called their stance “hostage taking.”
Thune urged at least eight Democrats to back the bill to avoid a shutdown.
Capitol Hill Falls Silent
Reporters described the halls of Congress as unusually quiet. Few lawmakers appeared in public. Behind closed doors, negotiations dragged on, but progress was scarce. Several lawmakers admitted they were not confident a deal would be reached in time.
If no agreement happens by 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday, the federal government will shut down. Agencies will furlough workers and pause many services immediately.
Experts Warn of Growing Damage Over Time
The Bipartisan Policy Center held a call to outline the risks. Their experts said agencies can handle a short disruption but warned the damage will grow the longer the shutdown lasts. Some departments — including Energy, NASA, and the National Science Foundation — still haven’t shared their contingency plans.
Medicare and Medicaid will keep paying benefits, thanks to dedicated funding. But administrative delays could pile up. Community health centers and home care services might also face disruptions. Experts stressed that a smaller federal workforce than in past years could make this shutdown even harder to manage.
Schumer Accuses Republicans of Refusing to Negotiate
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer placed responsibility on Republicans. He argued they’re not engaging seriously with Democrats.
“We stand at the precipice of a government shutdown because Republicans are not serious about keeping the government open,” Schumer said.
Republicans say Democrats are rejecting a “clean” Continuing Resolution that would temporarily extend funding. Schumer urged Republicans to return to the table before the midnight deadline.
What’s at Stake
A government shutdown would delay paychecks, stall key services, and disrupt the economy. Previous shutdowns hurt public confidence and slowed growth nationwide. This time, Trump’s threat to make “irreversible” cuts raises the stakes even higher.
The next few hours will determine whether Washington reaches a deal—or plunges into a prolonged political and economic standoff.
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