Trump sees government shutdown as 'win-win situation': Journalist

Government Shutdown & Executive Power - The Trump administration, guided by figures like Russ Vote, views government shutdowns as opportunities to expand executive power, a strategy reminiscent of Project 2025 [1][2][7][22] - The administration is willing to leverage the shutdown to cut funding for projects, especially in Democratic-leaning states, even if the legal authority to do so is questionable [3][6][13] - This approach differs from past shutdowns, where the focus was on fiscal responsibility; now, the administration openly aims to harm political opponents and consolidate power [18][19] - The administration sees the shutdown as a "win-win" situation, either by forcing Democrats to concede or by advancing the agenda of reducing government and expanding executive authority [24][25][26] Political Strategy & Potential Repercussions - Democrats are framing the shutdown around healthcare, highlighting potential premium increases and loss of coverage, which resonates with a majority of Americans [11][12] - Republicans risk alienating voters in swing districts within blue states if they aggressively cut funding, potentially jeopardizing their chances in midterm elections [13][14][15] - Some Republicans recognize the risk of overreach and are wary of the administration's aggressive tactics [15][17] - The public's perception of government shutdowns has evolved, and it's unclear whether voters will punish either party at the polls [28] - Democrats' strategy of focusing on healthcare could backfire if Republicans offer a deal on healthcare subsidies, potentially removing a key issue for Democrats in the midterms [20][21][29]