Americans Refuse to Buy Trump's Shutdown Blame Game
A new poll conducted by the Washington Post has revealed that nearly half of Americans blame President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing government shutdown, contradicting the administration's claims that Democrats are responsible.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 Americans on Wednesday, found that 47% of respondents blamed Trump and the GOP for the shutdown, while 30% pointed fingers at Democrats. A quarter of respondents remained unsure about who to blame. Notably, even among Republicans, 8% said they hold their own party responsible for the shutdown, a higher percentage than the 2% of Democrats who blame their party.
Trump has repeatedly claimed on social media and in public appearances that Democrats are shutting down the government because they want to provide free health care for undocumented immigrants. However, this claim has been widely debunked by fact-checkers and experts as inaccurate.
"This is a classic case of blaming others for one's own mistakes," said Dr. Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota. "The administration is trying to shift the blame away from their own inability to negotiate with Democrats on a budget deal."
In response to the poll, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders maintained that Trump and Republicans are committed to securing funding for border security measures, which they argue are essential to national security.
"Democrats are holding hostage our nation's security by refusing to provide adequate funding for our borders," Sanders said. "We will not be swayed by false narratives or polling numbers."
The shutdown, now in its 35th day, has had significant impacts on federal agencies and services, including the closure of national parks, delays in food assistance programs, and disruptions to air travel.
As the standoff continues, lawmakers are expected to return to Capitol Hill next week for more negotiations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Trump to reopen the government immediately, saying "it's time for the president to put politics aside and do what's right for the American people."
The poll results suggest that Americans are increasingly frustrated with the impasse, with many calling for a resolution to the shutdown. As one respondent noted, "It's not about who's to blame; it's about getting our government back up and running."
*Reporting by Motherjones.*
