In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has called on congressional Republicans to stage a government shutdown to counteract federal prosecutions against him. Despite this, legal pundits assert that such an action won’t stop these cases.
According to a report by Reuters on Thursday, September 21, 2023, With the October 1 deadline nearing for budget approval to prevent a shutdown, the GOP is divided. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is striving to unite varying opinions, especially from a core group of die-hard Trump supporters.
Trump voiced his appeal on Truth Social, urging to “defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden’s weaponized Government.” However, the U.S. Justice Department clarifies that certain funded activities would persist even during a funding pause. Notably, the Special Counsel’s office handling Trump-related cases would remain operational.
As Trump contends with two major federal trials, he also faces state-led prosecutions in New York and Georgia, which remain unaffected by a potential federal shutdown. The White House stands by the autonomy of the Special Counsel’s office, emphasizing a clear separation of powers.
The situation intensifies as President Joe Biden, who triumphed over Trump in 2020, seeks another term in 2024. Trump’s shutdown proposition has caused an uproar across political lines, with reactions ranging from support to stark criticism. The outcome of this political drama remains unpredictable.