President Donald Trump, again from a weeklong diplomatic journey to Asia, inserted himself into the shutdown struggle in Washington in a single day with a name on Senate Republicans to eradicate the filibuster and unilaterally reopen the federal government.
The request to alter the normal rule, although, was rapidly rebuffed by Majority Chief John Thune.
Meaning the stalemate between Republicans and Democrats continues with no apparent finish in sight. If not resolved earlier than Wednesday, it’ll turn into the longest shutdown in U.S. historical past.
A brand new ballot from ABC Information/Washington Submit/Ipsos discovered extra Individuals blame Trump and the Republicans in Congress than the Democrats for the shutdown.
It stays to be seen whether or not Trump turns into extra personally concerned in ending the deadlock because the political danger develop, particularly as Individuals critically start to really feel and see the impacts, together with strains at meals banks and aviation delays.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Pressure One earlier than departure from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, October 31, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
On Saturday, the federally funded Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP) is about to lapse. Meaning roughly 42 million Individuals who depend on the meals stamp program might be weak as they’re unable to get advantages.
Saturday additionally marks the beginning of open enrollment for Reasonably priced Cart Act recipients, lots of whom are going through a lot increased insurance coverage premiums subsequent 12 months as a result of expiring tax credit.
Democrats are demanding President Trump and Republicans work with them to increase the ACA subsidies. Trump and Republican say they will not negotiate till the federal government is reopened.
Trump on Friday doubled down on that strategy.
“I am at all times keen to fulfill. All they should do is open up the nation. Allow them to open up the nation and we’ll meet,” Trump stated as he stepped off Air Pressure One in Florida, the place he’ll spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago property.
Lawmakers are additionally out of city, with the Home out of session subsequent week and the Senate not set to return till Monday evening.
Trump strikes funds for navy, however not for SNAP
Trump has made a number of strikes to maintain the navy paid throughout the shutdown. He accepted a $130 million donation from a personal donor. Then, the White Home Workplace of Administration and Funds shifted $5.3 billion in funds from different sources to pay navy members on Oct. 31.
Is there a chance that Trump can do the identical for SNAP?
“Properly, there at all times is,” Trump stated on Friday earlier than instantly pointing the finger at Democrats.
“However all of the Democrats should do is say let’s go. I imply, , they don’t should do something. All they should do is say the federal government is open, and we solely want 5 Democrats. However they’re, , they’ve turn into a radical left get together,” the president stated.
Carts stuffed with groceries wait to be given to folks in want at Curley’s Home Meals Financial institution days earlier than the Supplemental Diet Help Program advantages might expire because of the Federal authorities shutdown, October 30, 2025 in Miami.
Joe Raedle/Getty Photographs
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, in a information convention Friday morning alongside Home Speaker Mike Johnson, insisted the division’s contingency fund can’t legally be used preserve SNAP funded throughout a shutdown.
“It’s a contingency fund that may solely circulate if the underlying appropriation is permitted. And hear, even when it might circulate, it does not even cowl half of the month of November. So right here we’re, once more, in two weeks, having the very same dialog,” she stated.
SNAP funding has been the main target of a number of lawsuits, with Democratic states suing the administration to maintain the funds flowing. One federal choose on Friday quickly ordered the Trump administration to proceed funding advantages, although the administration might attraction.
Late Friday, Trump posted on his social media platform that authorities attorneys “don’t suppose we have now the authorized authority to pay SNAP with sure monies we have now obtainable,” however that “it’ll BE MY HONOR to offer the funding identical to I did with Army and Legislation Enforcement Pay” if the court docket would “make clear how we are able to legally fund SNAP as quickly as doable.”
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks alongside Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson throughout a information convention on Capitol Hill on October 31, 2025 in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs
Democrats have taken purpose at Trump, saying he hasn’t executed sufficient to intervene. Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer accused Trump of getting “bowed down” to Chinese language President Xi Jinping in Asia whereas two crises are quickly to unfold at residence on meals assist and well being care.
“Trump is a vindictive politician and a heartless man,” Schumer stated on the Senate ground on Thursday.
Republicans, alternatively, argue Democrats are those holding the federal government hostage.
“That’s how a toddler behaves. That isn’t how a accountable governing get together behaves in america of America,” Vice President JD Vance stated on Thursday after main a White Home roundtable on the influence of the shutdown on the aviation trade. Vance stated vacation journey for Individuals might be a “catastrophe” if the deadlock is not over.
President Trump on Friday accused Democrats of getting “misplaced their minds.”
