WASHINGTON — The White House blamed congressional Democrats Tuesday for forcing a government shutdown, accusing them of prioritizing health care funding for undocumented immigrants over keeping essential services running.
In the administration’s first press briefing since the shutdown began, Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance defended President Trump’s stance. They condemned Democrats for rejecting a short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), that would have kept the government open.
“This is the same clean funding bill Democrats passed 13 times under President Biden,” Leavitt said. “The only difference is inflation adjustments. They shut down the government over demands for taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants.”
Administration Blasts Democrats
The press conference took a combative tone, with Leavitt and Vance repeatedly asserting that Democrats are “holding the government hostage” to push through immigration-related health care policies.
Leavitt said the Democrats’ decision has put federal programs at risk, including funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, community health centers, and Medicare services. Military pay, food assistance, and disaster relief programs are also in jeopardy, according to the administration.
“They’re punishing America’s most vulnerable,” she said. “All because they refuse to drop demands for benefits to those here illegally.”
The shutdown, which began at midnight, affects hundreds of thousands of federal workers and suspends many government operations. Air traffic control, military pay, and flood insurance programs are among the essential services expected to see disruptions if the impasse continues.
Trump Signs Drug Price Deal Amid Shutdown
Despite the shutdown, Leavitt highlighted actions taken by President Trump, including what the White House called a historic agreement with Pfizer to lower drug prices. Trump also signed an executive order aimed at advancing AI research and accelerating treatments for pediatric cancer.
“These are real results,” she said. “While Democrats complain, the president is taking action.”
Vance echoed the sentiment, saying the shutdown is “manufactured chaos” driven by a faction of the Democratic Party.
“The Chuck Schumer–AOC wing of the Democrats is shutting down the government to demand health care benefits for people who broke our laws,” Vance said. “That’s unacceptable.”
He added that moderate Democrats had supported the funding bill and accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of capitulating to the far left out of fear of a primary challenge.
Republicans Emphasize Popular Support
Leavitt cited polling that suggests most Americans oppose a shutdown over partisan demands. A New York Times poll cited during the briefing showed two-thirds of Americans disapprove of using a shutdown as a bargaining tactic.
“This isn’t just a Republican opinion,” she said. “Union leaders like Sean O’Brien from the Teamsters and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both urged Congress to pass the CR and reopen the government.”
Democrats Blame GOP
Democrats, for their part, say the shutdown is the fault of Republicans and the Trump administration. They argue that GOP leaders refused to compromise on immigration policy and manufactured the crisis for political gain.
Vice President Vance dismissed that claim as “a flat-out lie,” pointing to Senate and House votes where, he said, nearly every Republican supported reopening the government.
“You can disagree on policy,” he said, “but you can’t twist basic facts. Democrats voted to shut it down. Republicans voted to keep it open.”
Fallout Begins
Federal agencies have begun furloughing workers, and various projects — including an $18 billion transportation investment in New York — have been put on hold. The White House acknowledged these consequences but stated that it is working to ensure essential services continue despite the disruption.
“We’re triaging where we can,” Vance said. “But this can’t last. Too many Americans are being affected by a political stunt.”
Looking Ahead
When asked how long the shutdown could last, Vance said he remained “cautiously optimistic” that moderate Democrats would break ranks.
“We’ve already seen some cracks,” he said. “Privately, they know this isn’t rational. We’re ready to meet and reopen the government — now.”
No formal negotiations with Democratic leadership have been scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon, though White House officials said they’re in ongoing talks with senators on both sides of the aisle.
Meanwhile, the Office of Management and Budget has instructed agencies to prepare for an extended shutdown unless Congress reaches an agreement.
“The president is ready to sign a clean funding bill today,” Leavitt said. “We just need Democrats to do their jobs.”
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Ten years of experience reporting. From car chases and courtroom verdicts to House fires, Holsford thrives during breaking news and finds it a privilege to help drive the conversation in Rockland County and the Greater New York Area. Born in San Bernardino, Thomas is a New York boy at heart. He received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, specializing in political science and sociology, from the University of Illinois
