Are they really that weary of success?
In a revealing Wall Street Journal piece, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and leading figures within the Republican Party have issued caution to President Donald Trump against cutting jobs or significantly reducing entitlement programs as the government shutdown stretches into its second week.
Trump, who once mused during his 2016 campaign that Americans would grow weary of winning under his presidency, appears eager to exploit the ongoing shutdown as an “extraordinary opportunity” to cleanse the political swamp—a situation he attributes to stubborn Democrats resisting increased spending on health care for undocumented immigrants.
“Shutting it down means layoffs, and those affected disproportionately will be Democrats,” Trump asserted just as the September 30 deadline loomed.
Following the missed deadline, Trump reinforced this message on Truth Social, declaring, “Republicans must seize this Democrat-induced closure as a chance to purge waste and fraud—saving billions! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” on October 1.
Apart from potentially laying off thousands of what he deems ineffective government employees, Trump taunted his political adversaries by emphasizing the intention to “cut popular Democrat programs that, quite frankly, are not favored by Republicans,” expressed during a Cabinet meeting last Thursday.
The current political theater sets the stage for Democrats to face the repercussions of their actions, presenting an opportune moment for Republicans.
“The necessity for these discussions arises solely from the Democrats’ decision to shut down the government,” remarked White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson to the Journal.
Yet, cautious GOP members, possibly haunted by a long history of defeats, find themselves reluctant to allow Trump to enact what could be a gratifying retribution.
Sen. Kevin Cramer shared his perspective with the Journal post a sixth failed vote aimed at passing a funding bill, suggesting that the solution does not lie in threats but rather in presenting “Democrats with a way to save face, ensuring that the premium tax credits remain untouched for the upcoming year.”
Democrats are adamant about extending Obamacare tax credits carried over from the COVID-19 pandemic, yet refuse to concede the inclusion of subsidies for undocumented immigrants.
Some Republicans worry about potential blame if these negotiations lead to elevated premiums, a concern that has historically hampered the GOP’s efforts to repeal Obamacare.
Perhaps this hesitance from Cramer and Thune was understandable prior to Trump’s transformation of Republican norms, but now a leader stands ready to execute significant government cuts while outmaneuvering Democrats.
In Trump’s second term, the GOP has a unique opportunity to impose actions that could yield substantial political victories, putting Democrats in a difficult position and effectively scaling back government operations.
Moderates like Thune—who were never the poster children for Trump supporters—seem unable to fathom that they need not yield to Democrat dictates or heed warnings from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about potential repercussions if Trump follows through.
Failing to leverage this moment would represent a grave disservice to Republican voters who have awaited such an opportunity for decades, and it may never arise again.
Whether it stems from timidity, betrayal, or simply a fatigue from unprecedented success, Republicans must clear the path for Trump to lead decisively.
This article initially appeared on The Western Journal.
