Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has voiced strong criticism of President Donald Trump, alleging that the ongoing 26-day government shutdown has allowed the president to exercise “king-like powers.” During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Murphy accused Trump of obstructing negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, claiming he prefers the government to remain closed to maintain control over federal departments.
Murphy stated, “I think one of the reasons that President Trump is refusing to negotiate is because he likes the fact that the government is closed, because he thinks he can exercise king-like powers.” He further argued that the president has the ability to reopen parts of the government selectively and compensate employees who show loyalty to him. Murphy characterized this behavior as reminiscent of practices found in totalitarian regimes.
The shutdown has seen repeated failures in bipartisan negotiations, with both parties unable to reach an agreement on a spending resolution. To date, there have been 12 unsuccessful attempts to reconcile differences, primarily hinging on healthcare subsidies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has maintained that “there is nothing to negotiate,” asserting that discussions on subsidies can occur at a later date.
Debate continues regarding the adequacy of Trump’s involvement in the negotiations. Prior to the shutdown, he met with Democratic leaders, but Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona indicated that the president dedicated only one hour to discussions, questioning the effectiveness of such limited engagement. “If we could have a real negotiation about this,” Kelly remarked, “the president has spent one hour on this. How much time has he spent talking about his ballroom?”
This ballroom, which is still under construction despite the shutdown, is projected to cost over $300 million. Kelly noted that “almost every single American taxpayer will never go in that room,” highlighting the disconnect between governmental priorities and public needs.
As the shutdown continues, federal employees are missing paychecks, creating significant financial strain. Furthermore, over 42 million Americans could face food insecurity if the impasse persists. Reports indicate that the administration plans to use emergency funds to cover federal food benefits starting on November 1, 2023.
A memo from the Department of Agriculture attributed the funding delay to Congressional Democrats, stating, “If not for Congressional Democrats blocking government funding, November SNAP benefits would be paid on time.” The memo revealed that the USDA would not access contingency funds or alternative nutrition programs to address the expected exhaustion of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) next month.
Current estimates suggest that the contingency fund holds approximately $5 billion, which is insufficient compared to the $9 billion needed for November benefits. Even if the funds were accessed, allocation delays would likely result in many individuals missing their benefits for the month, exacerbating the crisis.
As government leaders continue to grapple with the shutdown, the ramifications are being felt across the nation, with millions depending on the outcome of negotiations for their livelihoods and well-being.
