Trump Blames Democrats for Government Shutdown
On Monday, President Donald Trump attributed the ongoing partial government shutdown to Democrats, as negotiations on funding for the Department of Homeland Security remain stalled. He highlighted what he views as achievements of his administration, particularly regarding the economy and crime rates.
While speaking to the press on Air Force One, Trump pointed out “great fiscal numbers,” including low inflation and decreasing fuel prices.
“These numbers are really great. Inflation is quite low. Prices are down. You can even find gas for under $2 a gallon in many areas, which honestly surprised a lot of people,” Trump remarked. However, it’s worth noting that the national average for gas is more around $3, and even the cheapest states see prices above $2.
“I rolled this out based on the original plan: drill, baby, drill. Prices have dropped significantly, including gasoline. We inherited a bad situation, but we’re getting things back on track,” he added.
When asked about the implications of the government shutdown regarding Homeland Security funding, Trump said he believes it’s a “Democrat shutdown” that “has nothing to do with Republicans.” He also suggested that Democrats are unhappy due to diminishing crime rates, despite evidence showing that violent crime, including murders, has been decreasing in major cities even before his presidency.
“This is a Democratic shutdown. It has nothing to do with us. They’re frustrated because crime numbers are low, and there’s a clear movement going on,” he claimed.
In response, Democrats are pushing for increased oversight and reform of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a federal agent’s shooting that resulted in the deaths of two Americans in Minneapolis last month.
“They don’t want voter ID because they want to rig elections,” Trump asserted. He referred to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE), which would require strict identification proof for voters in federal elections, a point of contention for Democrats during long-term funding discussions.
“They oppose mail-in voting and want to abolish it. And remember, they don’t want to provide proof of citizenship,” he added.
Nevertheless, Trump mentioned he is open to discussions with Democrats to find a resolution to the shutdown, although he emphasized the need to “protect our law enforcement” and praised immigration officials for their efforts to remove “criminals” from the country.
Finally, he indicated that he would proceed with delivering his State of the Union address, which is slated for next week, even if the shutdown persists.
