In a striking display of discord, top Republican leaders are publicly at odds over how to frame the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on Americans, Fox News reported.
The shutdown, fueled by Senate Democrats' refusal to back a short-term funding bill without Obamacare subsidy extensions, has revealed a rift between President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on messaging and responsibility.
The conflict arose as Democrats demanded inclusion of temporarily enhanced Obamacare subsidies, expiring at the end of 2025, in any interim funding agreement.
Republicans push for a simple extension of fiscal year 2025 funding levels until Nov. 21, a tactic Democrats endorsed 13 times under former President Joe Biden.
Yet, Democrats stand firm on linking healthcare extensions to funding, while GOP leaders advocate separating those issues from urgent budget talks.
Consequently, the government is projected to remain closed at least until next week, leaving federal operations in uncertainty.
President Trump, together with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), oversees agency functions and workforce policies amid the crisis.
Speaker Johnson, speaking in recent interviews, underscored the hard choices facing Trump and OMB Director Russ Vought, including possible permanent staff cuts.
Johnson told Fox News Digital that Trump is "very bothered" by Democrats’ position and its toll on the public.
On Wednesday, Johnson supported Vought in a House Republican call, stressing that Democrats’ refusal of the GOP funding proposal created a tough spot.
He told colleagues, per Fox News Digital, that "Russ is not the grim reaper."
On Thursday, Trump took a harsher stance on Truth Social, revealing plans to meet Vought and target what he termed "Democrat Agencies" for cuts, calling them a "political SCAM."
That evening, Trump posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social, showing Vought as a "grim reaper" in a parody of Blue Oyster Cult’s "Don't Fear the Reaper," mocking Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
On Friday, Johnson told reporters Trump is simply "trolling the Democrats" and finds no delight in the shutdown’s hardships.
Johnson emphasized the real impact, stating, "The effects are very serious on real people, real Americans," while affirming support for federal workers and noting memes aim to expose Democrats’ "absurdity."
