Why Trump May Shut Down the Government

Playbook: “If you’re Trump, is there any cogent case to not shut down the government one week from today? Here is what a few of the president’s allies are whispering to us.”

“It wouldn’t hurt too badly. Congress has already passed a bunch of government spending bills, ensuring a shutdown would only be a partial stoppage of government funding. Trump has bills on his desk that fund critical parts of government. Much of the money Trump wants would come in Department of Homeland Security appropriations. So if he wanted to take a stand, it would be narrowly targeted to one department.”

“This is what he promised. If you are a Republican lawmaker who believes that the 2016 election was about Trump’s hard-line immigration policies — as many conservatives tell us they do — shouldn’t you take a stand on that while you can? Shouldn’t Republicans fear their base is going to stay home if an all-Republican Washington blows it on the wall?”

“Washington might not be red for long. This could be the president’s last chance to get a wall. The House is looking like it could be lost come January. No chance in hell that the leftward-drifting House will give him the wall if they get the majority in 2019. Zero. Zip. Zilch. If Ds win the House, there is no chance the president will get a wall in the lame duck, either.”