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Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026
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Trump Vows ‘Won’t Be Extorted’ by Democrats as Shutdown Hits Six-Week Mark
President Donald Trump refuses to negotiate until government reopens, blaming Democrats for impasse over healthcare subsidies
President Donald Trump declared that he “won’t be extorted” by congressional Democrats and said he will not engage in negotiations until the federal government is reopened, as the shutdown approaches its sixth week.
The remarks, delivered during a televised interview, place the onus on Democrats to act first, according to the administration’s framework.
In the interview he asserted that Democrats have “lost their way” in demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in exchange for reopening the process, and he predicted they would eventually have to capitulate.
“I think they have to,” he said.
“And if they don’t vote, it’s their problem.” With the shutdown now at 33 days by one count, federal employees are missing paychecks, air-traffic delays are mounting and roughly 42 million recipients of federal food-aid benefits face uncertainty about upcoming payments.
Senate Democrats have rejected thirteen prior attempts to reopen the government, insisting that a clean funding resolution will be accompanied by a deal on ACA premium subsidies set to expire at year end.
The Trump administration has stood firm: no reopening vote unless Democrats first support the funding measure.
Concurrently, the president renewed his call for Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster, saying the rule prevents the party from achieving its agenda.
“If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want,” he said, though leading Senate Republicans have reaffirmed their commitment to the sixty-vote threshold, maintaining that it protects institutional integrity.
The standoff has placed Republican leaders in a difficult position; Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged moderate Democrats with “a backbone” to cross the aisle, while House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted any reopening must come before high-stakes policy talk.
Democrats, for their part, say they are willing to negotiate—but only once the government is reopened and the premium assistance is secured.
Meanwhile, signs of operational strain continue to grow: a major U.S. airport reported control-tower staffing delays, and federal agencies warned of curtailing child-nutrition and social-services programmes without funding.
The previous record shutdown of 35 days was set in 2019 during Mr. Trump’s first term; the current impasse may surpass that mark if no breakthrough emerges.
The remarks, delivered during a televised interview, place the onus on Democrats to act first, according to the administration’s framework.
In the interview he asserted that Democrats have “lost their way” in demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in exchange for reopening the process, and he predicted they would eventually have to capitulate.
“I think they have to,” he said.
“And if they don’t vote, it’s their problem.” With the shutdown now at 33 days by one count, federal employees are missing paychecks, air-traffic delays are mounting and roughly 42 million recipients of federal food-aid benefits face uncertainty about upcoming payments.
Senate Democrats have rejected thirteen prior attempts to reopen the government, insisting that a clean funding resolution will be accompanied by a deal on ACA premium subsidies set to expire at year end.
The Trump administration has stood firm: no reopening vote unless Democrats first support the funding measure.
Concurrently, the president renewed his call for Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster, saying the rule prevents the party from achieving its agenda.
“If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want,” he said, though leading Senate Republicans have reaffirmed their commitment to the sixty-vote threshold, maintaining that it protects institutional integrity.
The standoff has placed Republican leaders in a difficult position; Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged moderate Democrats with “a backbone” to cross the aisle, while House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted any reopening must come before high-stakes policy talk.
Democrats, for their part, say they are willing to negotiate—but only once the government is reopened and the premium assistance is secured.
Meanwhile, signs of operational strain continue to grow: a major U.S. airport reported control-tower staffing delays, and federal agencies warned of curtailing child-nutrition and social-services programmes without funding.
The previous record shutdown of 35 days was set in 2019 during Mr. Trump’s first term; the current impasse may surpass that mark if no breakthrough emerges.
