By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll revealed that a significant portion of Americans hold President Trump and Republicans primarily responsible for the government shutdown. Roughly 45% of U.S. adults believe Trump and the GOP are to blame for the shutdown’s negative impacts. This shutdown has led to consequences like potential cuts to anti-hunger benefits, air traffic delays, and furloughed federal workers. These findings underscore the public’s perception of responsibility for the ongoing political stalemate.
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Americans blame Trump and the GOP more than Democrats for the shutdown, a poll finds – it’s no surprise, really. When you look at the landscape, it’s pretty clear who’s in charge. They control all the major branches of government right now, which inherently places the onus on them. It’s like being in charge of the test and then failing, and then, inexplicably, blaming someone else for the poor outcome. It’s a bit like Trump and the GOP are grading their own papers, and when the grade is low, they try to find someone else to take the blame.
The consequences of this shutdown are, frankly, quite damaging. It’s not just about political posturing; it’s about real people suffering. Things like SNAP benefits expiring are a direct and unnecessary consequence. It’s even illegal, considering that funds were specifically allocated to keep those benefits active during a shutdown. This is entirely the fault of Trump, his advisors, and those who enable him. It is because of their actions.
While one might see Republicans taking the brunt of the blame, at around 45% compared to Democrats’ 39%, the reality on the ground might feel like a much more even split. But honestly, as a political analyst, those numbers, no matter which side you’re on, are not a good thing.
The GOP’s stance, in a nutshell, seems to be that you can’t have food unless you give up your healthcare, or, perhaps more accurately, the Democrats have to surrender your healthcare. It paints a picture of a party willing to use essential services as leverage, holding the American people hostage.
It’s been reported that many Republicans, privately, want to negotiate and assist their constituents, but are apparently being instructed otherwise by Trump himself. This paints a picture of a leader who is more akin to a mob boss, using threats to control his own party, rather than working for the American people.
The reality is quite simple: they control the White House, the Senate, and the House. They had everything they needed. Yet, they couldn’t come to an agreement, and the government shut down. It is difficult to see how anyone could avoid the conclusion that this failure falls squarely on their shoulders.
Playing broke when the administration has access to considerable funds, in the millions, is simply ineffective. If the Senate is working, Trump is spending like normal, and the House is recessing repeatedly, it is pretty obvious who is fueling the shutdown. Negotiating, making deals – that is what Trump is supposed to be good at. The fact that the situation is the exact opposite says it all.
The fact that this situation is happening under their watch, with complete control, is baffling. It’s their fault. This is not the first shutdown under Trump. The optics are terrible, and the lack of leadership is glaring. The contrast between Trump and the GOP spending on their own priorities while millions lose healthcare is a stark one.
If you control all the branches of government, the responsibility for its failures, including a shutdown, rests squarely on your shoulders. It’s pretty simple: they broke it, they own it. The American people understand this, even if some corners of the media try to cloud the issue.