Trump added that “a very wealthy person” offered to make up any shortfall in military pay, though he did not disclose the individual’s identity.
Revenue from tariffs, described by Trump as the “crown jewel” of his economic plan, is also being rerouted to fund WIC, the federal nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
“We’re closing up programs that are Democrat programs that we wanted to close up or that we never wanted to happen,” Trump said. “We’re not closing up Republican programs because we think they work.”
However, these decisions may face legal challenges, as past presidents have rarely exercised such direct budgetary discretion during funding lapses.
Trump is opting some of the government out of the shutdown
Is the US government still closed? Here’s what we know on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Federal Shutdown Fallout: Delays, Closures, and Public Impact
While select agencies continue to operate, the broader effects of the shutdown are being felt nationwide.
- Air travel has been hit by significant flight delays due to reduced staffing at the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Taxpayer “Help” lines at the IRS remain closed.
- Environmental and infrastructure projects are on hold as the EPA and Department of Transportation struggle with permit backlogs.
- Many national parks are shuttered, blocking public access to trails and monuments.
Despite Republican control of Congress, the GOP lacks the votes in the Senate to overcome Democratic filibusters on funding bills. Democrats insist that any compromise to reopen the government must preserve health insurance subsidies and social programs cut in the current budget proposal.
A Polarizing Approach to a Prolonged Standoff
Trump’s selective continuation of certain government programs marks a stark departure from how previous presidents handled shutdowns. Analysts note that partisan strategy appears to be influencing which programs are shielded from funding freezes.
