Trump Leverages Government Shutdown to Advance "Project 2025" Agenda
As the U.S. government experiences a partial shutdown, President Donald Trump is accused of using the situation to further his agenda, drawing heavily from the principles outlined in Project 2025, a conservative policy document. The shutdown, triggered by a deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over funding, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees and halted numerous government services.
The Shutdown and its Impact
The current government shutdown, initiated due to disagreements over funding the administration, has resulted in approximately 750,000 federal employees being furloughed. Museums and monuments are closed, and the release of crucial economic data, including September's unemployment figures, has been suspended. These events have amplified concerns about the relationship between Trump's actions and the goals of Project 2025.
Prior to the shutdown, Trump threatened to dismiss tens of thousands of federal employees. Following a Senate stalemate, he announced plans to meet with Russell Vought, head of the White House budget office, to identify agencies for potential cuts. Trump described many of these agencies as "a SCAM" and suggested that the cuts could be either temporary or permanent. He credited Vought's "fame" to Project 2025.
Russell Vought and Project 2025
Russell Vought, a key figure in promoting Project 2025, authored a chapter outlining a strategy to expand the power of the executive branch at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches. Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting Vought as the Grim Reaper, menacing Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
Exploiting the Shutdown for Political Gain
Republicans are attempting to blame Democrats for the shutdown, accusing them of prioritizing healthcare for undocumented immigrants through Medicaid. This strategy persists despite the fact that existing law prohibits undocumented individuals from receiving such subsidies. Trump, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, is being accused of employing racially charged rhetoric, including circulating AI-altered videos depicting Hakeem Jeffries with stereotypical Mexican imagery.
Vance made xenophobic statements, attributing emergency room wait times to "illegals," despite the fact that emergency rooms are legally obligated to treat all individuals regardless of immigration status—a provision established by a 1986 law signed by Ronald Reagan.
Targeting Democratic States and Programs
Programs benefiting Democratic states are already being targeted. The administration has informed Chicago that $2.1 billion in funding for public transportation improvements will be withdrawn due to concerns about discriminatory hiring practices based on race. The Department of Energy announced the cancellation of over $7.5 billion in subsidies for energy projects, primarily in states governed by Democrats.
The Stalemate Continues
The Senate has repeatedly voted on funding proposals, but the deadlock persists. The federal paralysis will continue until at least Monday, and potentially longer. A similar shutdown occurred nearly seven years ago under Trump's presidency, lasting a record 34 days.
Democratic Resistance and the Future
Democrats are resisting Republican efforts to pass a continuing resolution that would fund the government until November 21. They are demanding commitments to extend Obamacare subsidies and prevent cuts to Medicaid as part of Trump's tax reform. The key question now is how long Democratic unity will hold under pressure from Trump, and how far Trump is willing to go to implement the ideals of Project 2025, especially given his now overt association with the document.
