The Shutdown Shadow: What Schumer Doesn’t Want Washington to See
Schumer Erupts at Trump as Democrats Face Growing Backlash Over Shutdown
The standoff in Washington took a dramatic turn this week as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer lashed out at former President Donald Trump on social media, accusing him of exploiting the ongoing government shutdown to score political points. The fiery exchange comes as public sentiment appears to be shifting against Democrats, who are increasingly being blamed for prolonging the deadlock.
In a video posted online Wednesday, Schumer vented his anger, calling Trump “a vindictive and heartless man” and accusing him of deliberately worsening the economic strain caused by the shutdown.
“Never before in American history has a president cut off SNAP benefits during a shutdown,” Schumer said. “Trump is manufacturing a hunger crisis to bludgeon the American people so he doesn’t have to fix healthcare.”
However, constitutional experts quickly pointed out that the president cannot unilaterally allocate or block federal spending, as budgets must originate in Congress. The president’s only authority is to either sign appropriations bills or veto them — meaning that the impasse lies largely with lawmakers.
A Stalemate of Political Strategy
The Republican-controlled House passed a clean spending bill nearly a month ago aimed at reopening the government. Yet, under Schumer’s direction, most Senate Democrats have refused to support the measure. A few moderate Democrats have broken ranks, but not enough to help Republicans reach the 60-vote threshold required to advance the legislation.
The gridlock, which began as a dispute over healthcare and spending priorities, has now expanded into a larger political battle over the size and scope of government programs.
Democrats are demanding nearly $1.5 trillion in additional spending, including extensions of Obamacare subsidies that were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but are set to expire in December. Republicans argue that the subsidies were meant to be temporary and that new spending should be negotiated only after the government is reopened.
“We’re willing to discuss healthcare reforms,” said one senior GOP aide, “but the first step must be getting paychecks flowing again to federal workers. You can’t negotiate responsibly while the lights are off.”
Democrats Under Pressure
The longer the shutdown drags on, the more the political tide appears to be turning against the Democrats. Several major media outlets — including CNN, ABC News, and CNBC — have reported that the stalemate is beginning to damage the party’s standing among voters.
On CNBC’s Squawk Box, host Joe Kernen pressed Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) over his continued opposition to reopening the government without preconditions.
“Are you ready to vote with Republicans to end the shutdown?” Kernen asked.
“You know, I’m not there yet,” Welch replied. “We haven’t had any meaningful conversation about rising healthcare premiums.”
Kernen interjected, visibly frustrated:
“You think this is the right way to do it — by stopping paychecks for TSA workers? That’s extortion. Does that feel right to you in good conscience?”
The exchange went viral, highlighting growing unease even among traditionally left-leaning commentators over the Democrats’ strategy.
Media and Polls Reflect a Shift
Even networks once considered sympathetic to Democrats are acknowledging a change in momentum. CNN’s data analyst Harry Enten reported that polling data shows Republicans gaining support since the shutdown began — a surprising twist given that the GOP currently controls both chambers of Congress.
“You might think the party in power would take the hit,” Enten said. “But polling shows the Republican brand has actually improved since the shutdown started.”
According to a Quinnipiac poll released October 22, congressional Republicans have seen their favorability rating rise by five points since July. Analysts suggest that frustration with continued government closures and stalled paychecks is being directed more toward Democrats, whom voters perceive as obstructing compromise.
“That’s the math leadership is looking at,” Enten added. “They’re asking, ‘Why should we fold when our numbers are improving?’”
Schumer’s Political Gamble
For Schumer, the stakes are high. He has sought to frame the shutdown as a moral and policy battle — one over healthcare funding and economic fairness — but critics accuse him of using the issue to score political victories ahead of the next election cycle.
Republicans argue that the shutdown has become a Democratic pressure tactic designed to force through unrelated spending priorities. Some party strategists have even compared the episode to past political overreaches that backfired.
“Democrats thought they could paint Trump and Republicans as villains,” said one GOP strategist. “But voters are tired of the dysfunction — and Schumer is the one who looks unreasonable now.”
As the impasse enters another week, federal workers continue to go without pay, key services remain suspended, and economists warn of broader economic damage if no deal is reached soon.
The Path Forward
Both parties insist they want to reopen the government, but neither seems willing to concede first. The White House has said it will only negotiate larger policy issues once a clean continuing resolution passes. Democrats, meanwhile, are holding out for immediate action on healthcare subsidies and expanded social spending.
For now, the political standoff shows no sign of thawing. Yet, with polls shifting and the media narrative turning, pressure is mounting on Schumer and his caucus to change course.
Whether the Democrats’ gamble pays off or backfires spectacularly may depend on how long the American public’s patience holds — and whether Schumer’s fiery rhetoric can outlast the growing chill of political reality.