U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that the recent Democratic electoral victories signal mounting trouble for Republicans, linking the setbacks directly to the ongoing, record-long federal government shutdown.
President Trump characterized the election results as "not good" during a White House breakfast with GOP senators, reflecting on an evening that saw Democratic candidates secure commanding gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey, alongside a key mayoral victory in New York City. Trump conceded that pollsters found the prolonged government shutdown was "a big factor, negative for the Republicans," while some analysts viewed his absence from the ballot as another significant element in the outcome.
The federal closure, which has been grinding on since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, has placed immense strain on government operations and workers. Approximately 1.4 million federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, have been furloughed or are working without pay. The White House has warned of potential turmoil at airports nationwide if the crisis continues, citing increased absenteeism among unpaid workers. This concern is particularly acute with a record 5.8 million people expected to fly domestically for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The core disagreement preventing a resolution centers on health care spending. Democrats insist on a deal to extend expiring insurance subsidies before voting to end the funding lapse, while Republicans demand that Democrats first vote to reopen the government. Amid this stalemate, President Trump has sought to apply pressure by targeting progressive priorities. This included a threat to withhold benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps 42 million Americans afford groceries. However, following court orders, the White House later clarified it would partially fund the program for November using a $4.65 billion contingency fund. This decision means benefits will be reduced and potentially delayed for recipients.