Welcome to the new Washington of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
A spending compromise orchestrated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the government open until early in Trump’s new term has been blocked by the two men. The compromise measure packed with nearly $100 billion in aid for Americans hit by multiple natural disasters, economic aid for farmers, a federal commitment to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and a criminalization of revenge porn, has plunged the capital into one of its classic year-end crises.
The stop-gap measure, which would have funded the government for several weeks, was opposed by Trump and Musk, who say they want a more streamlined spending bill without Democratic “deliverables.” The move has left Congress in a state of chaos and raised concerns about the impact on Trump’s ability to govern and the potential for a government shutdown.
The loss on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has matched a mark set in the Ford administration, has also underscored the uncertainty and volatility of the current economic climate. The Federal Reserve has warned that inflation will tick up next year, adding to the challenges facing Trump’s second term.
The collapse of the stop-gap measure has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill, with many lawmakers expressing frustration and concern about the potential consequences of a government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has predicted that this will be the way things will be in the coming year.
The showdown between Trump and Democratic lawmakers has also raised questions about the president-elect’s ability to govern and his relationship with Congress. Trump’s supporters and allies in the conservative media are seeing this as a sign of progress, having long accused the government of being bloated and wasteful.
But others are warning that a government shutdown could have unpredictable consequences, including harm to seniors and veterans who rely on government benefits and the shuttering of vital federal services.
As lawmakers prepare for a potentially disastrous holiday season, the country is left wondering what will happen next and when they will be able to go home. One thing is certain, the new Washington of Donald Trump and Elon Musk is shaping up to be a place of great change and uncertainty.