'It’s A Schumer Shutdown': Trump Blames Democrats As Govt Deadlock Drags On

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 07:33 IST

The US government shutdown reached day 17 as President Donald Trump blamed Democrats, calling it a Schumer Shutdown, while both parties remain deadlocked over health care funding.

US President Donald Trump. (Reuters File)

The government shutdown continued on Friday as US President Donald Trump blamed the Democratic Party for the deadlock, refusing to agree to funding demands.

The US government shutdown entered its 17th day on Friday, with the House remaining out of session for nearly a month. Democrats have called for President Trump’s direct intervention to break the stalemate, while Republican leaders insist that negotiations can only begin once a short-term funding bill to reopen the government is approved.

Meanwhile, Democrats have maintained they will not agree to any deal without assurances on extending health insurance subsidies.

“The shutdown continues. The Republican Party is NOT going to pay $1.5 TRILLION to illegal immigrants coming into our country," the President said told the reporters.

He further accused Democratic leaders of being responsible for the impasse, calling it “a Democrat Shutdown" and “a Schumer Shutdown."

“It’s a Schumer Shutdown — because his career is failed and it’s over," the President added.

Earlier, when Trump was asked whether he was willing to deploy his dealmaking background on the shutdown, Trump said, “Well, look, I mean, all we want to do is just extend. We don’t want anything, we just want to extend, live with the deal they had."

On Thursday, he further criticised Democratic health care demands as “crazy," adding, “We’re just not going to do it."

Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Democrats must first vote to reopen the government, “then we can have serious conversations about health care."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed the stance before leaving for the weekend, saying Trump is “prepared to step in and meet with Democrats or anyone else once the government reopens."

Thune said he’d also be willing to talk, but only after the shutdown ends. “I am willing to sit down with Democrats," Thune posted on social media Friday, adding, “But there’s one condition: End the Schumer Shutdown. I will not negotiate under hostage conditions, nor will I pay a ransom."

The shutdown, triggered by a deadlock over a spending plan, has deepened partisan rifts in Washington. Democrats insist that any agreement to reopen the government must include funding for health care programs, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has maintained he “won’t negotiate" until those demands are withdrawn.

News world 'It’s A Schumer Shutdown': Trump Blames Democrats As Govt Deadlock Drags On

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