U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejects the idea that President Donald Trump is solely responsible for the ongoing government shutdown, blaming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic leadership instead. During an appearance on NBC’s ‘Meet The Press,’ Bessent contested the claim that Trump must lead efforts to end the shutdown, asserting that the responsibility lies with Democrats to vote to reopen the government.
Bessent, a strong supporter of Trump, addressed concerns raised by host Kristen Welker, who asked why Trump has not met with Democrats to resolve the stalemate. Bessent rejected the premise of the question, stating that Democrats need only to pass a vote to end the shutdown. “Well, Kristen, I’m going to have to reject the premise of your question. Why does President Trump have to meet with Democrats? Democrats just need to go into the Senate and vote to end the shutdown,” Bessent said.
The government shutdown is now in its 27th day as congressional leaders remain deadlocked over a funding plan. Republicans have proposed a short-term spending bill to buy time for more negotiations, but Democrats have shot it down repeatedly, demanding that any new spending include an extension of pandemic-era healthcare subsidies. Meanwhile, conservative groups oppose these subsidies, arguing that they increase healthcare costs for millions.
Some Republicans have pointed to Schumer as the primary obstacle to reaching a deal, suggesting that he is under pressure from progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Schumer of prioritizing the Marxist-left flank of the Democratic Party, citing pressure from Ocasio-Cortez. Bessent echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Schumer is beholden to Ocasio-Cortez’s influence, with 52 Republicans supporting reopening the government versus just three Democrats.
Bessent also warned of the growing economic impact of the shutdown, noting that it is affecting travel and the overall economy. “We’re starting to eat muscle here. This is starting to affect travel and it’s starting to affect the economy,” he said, urging moderate Democratic senators to cross party lines and reopen the government.