1:51President Donald Trump speaks during a conference with Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the White House in Washington, October 14, 2025.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the current government impasse presents an occasion to terminate "Democrat programs that we are seeking to abolish or never desired to transpire."
"The Democrats are taking a beating due to the standstill since we're doing away with programs championed by Democrats that we were against. Therefore, we're succeeding and — and they're unlikely to be reinstated in numerous instances," Trump remarked, upon being questioned regarding when he would commence uniting parties to discuss a resolution to the ongoing government cessation.
President Donald Trump speaks during a conference with Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the White House in Washington, October 14, 2025.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
"Thus, we're capable of achieving objectives previously unattainable. So, we're discontinuing programs that are Democrat-backed, programs we aimed to discontinue or programs we never endorsed. Presently, we're concluding them, and we won't permit their restoration."
Trump hinted that a roster of the programs destined for cuts is projected to surface on Friday.
Trump later clarified that Democratic programs encompass items "with which we are in disagreement," yet provided no concrete illustrations. Trump affirmed that "Republican programs" would remain untouched.
Trump and Vought have persistently threatened to enact reductions in Democratic entities during the stoppage.
When queried earlier in the month about these reductions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refrained from offering particulars.
"We intend to examine agencies that diverge from the administration's values and which we deem an inefficient allocation of taxpayer funds. Regrettably, these deliberations are transpiring due to the absence of funds entering the federal coffers at present," Leavitt conveyed during a White House press briefing. "Hence, the President aspires to be a responsible custodian of the American taxpayer's resources during a juncture when our financial standing appears precarious because the Democrats opted to halt operations."
Johnson claims he lacks a 'strategy' for negotiations with Democrats
Speaker Mike Johnson rebuffed the likelihood of altering his approach to resolve the government paralysis through legislative adjustments with Democrats, advising reporters on Tuesday that he lacks a "strategy" to conclude the predicament in place of the GOP’s lackluster campaign to enact a "clean" continuing resolution.
Johnson on Tuesday urged Democrats to endorse the House-approved funding measure and condemned the Democrats' $1.5 trillion proposition, which broadens health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and reverses reductions to Medicaid.
When questioned if he might contemplate a divergent negotiation avenue, given the pressure initiative against Democrats has thus far failed to surmount the deadlock, Johnson reiterated that the House-endorsed bill embodies a "clean" continuing resolution — devoid of legislative stratagems or political maneuvering.
"Why should I revise my strategy? I possess no strategy," the speaker communicated to reporters. "I am undertaking the ethically sound, manifestly evident, customary action."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, October 14, 2025 in Washington.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The Senate on Tuesday evening faltered for the eighth instance to sanction the GOP-sponsored "clean" continuing resolution that would finance the government.
Congressional Democrats representing Maryland and Virginia — home to a substantial contingent of federal employees — voiced criticism of Republicans over the stoppage on Tuesday morning, in addition to expressing support for the workers.
"We pledge to persistently condemn the treatment inflicted upon our federal employees," Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, declared. "We want them to realize our gratitude, our appreciation for their service to our country, our continued reliance on them, our continued need for their contributions, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring they can continue to provide it."
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland alleged that Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought are "viciously" assailing federal personnel.
Paychecks for troops
OMB is devising strategies to furnish paychecks to federal law-enforcement agents amid the ongoing cessation, according to an OMB official. This arises subsequent to recent endeavors to compensate members of the armed forces and sustain the vital Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program.
The U.S. Capitol during the thirteenth day of the U.S. government shutdown in Washington, October 13, 2025.Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Trump conveyed his directive to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to utilize "all accessible funds" to remunerate members of the military on Wednesday, Oct. 15 despite the cessation.
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday its intention to allocate $8 billion discovered within research, development, and testing allocations to address the troops’ paychecks on Wednesday.
The maneuver secured the endorsement of Speaker Johnson.
"Evidently, it is my understanding that they are fully entitled to redistribute the funds, duly earmarked dollars from Congress to the Department of Defense," Johnson affirmed on Tuesday. "Should the Democrats wish to initiate legal proceedings and contest the compensation of the troops, let them proceed. Agreed?"
OMB communicated via its X account on Tuesday that the Trump administration is "undertaking all requisite arrangements" to endure the government cessation without succumbing to Democrats' stipulations. The agency avowed their continued reduction of the federal workforce in the interim.
"Compensate the troops, remunerate law enforcement, persist with the RIFs, and remain steadfast," the post conveyed.
Lawmakers remain in deadlock, with negotiations at a standstill.
"We are accelerating toward potentially one of the most protracted shutdowns in American history," Johnson stated on Monday.
The apex reached 35 days, established during Trump's inaugural term.
Michelle Stoddart and Isabella Murray contributed to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
