1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I rarely find myself agreeing with Donald Trump, but on the issue of government shutdowns, I must concede: he's absolutely right. In 2011, Trump stated, "If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States." Similarly, in 2013, he remarked, "A shutdown falls on the president's lack of leadership. He can't even control his own party and get people together in a room. A shutdown means the president is weak." These statements suggest that President Trump previously held the view that the president bears responsibility for a government shutdown. Given that the current shutdown is occurring under his administration, I urge you to seek clarification from the president on his stance and ensure that accountability is maintained. The current shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, is the result of a partisan standoff over healthcare subsidies. Democrats are advocating for the continuation of Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding, while Republicans are refusing, accusing Democrats of pushing benefits for undocumented immigrants—a claim widely debunked. Despite controlling all branches of government, Republicans, including President Trump, have refused to negotiate with Democrats. If President Trump truly is the master of the "art of the deal," as he claims, he should be able to broker an agreement. Instead, he has walked away from negotiations and is shirking his leadership responsibility. I urge you to work with your colleagues across the aisle to negotiate an end to this shutdown. The American people deserve a government that works for them, not one that is paralyzed by partisan gridlock. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and any actions you may take to address this issue.