Despite days of threats and demands, Donald Trump saw limited results as lawmakers passed a budget deal early Saturday to avoid a pre-Christmas government shutdown. While the president-elect persuaded House Republicans to cut some spending, he fell short of his main objective of raising the debt limit. This highlighted that despite his strong election win and repeated pledges of retribution, many within his party are willing to openly challenge him. Trump’s intrusion into the budget discussions a month prior to his inauguration also underscored his proficiency at disrupting deals rather than forging them, indicating that his upcoming term may mirror the internal discord, chaos, and brinksmanship that defined his initial term.
Representative Steve Womack of Arkansas advised, “Stay tuned. Buckle up. Strap in,” recognizing potential future showdowns based on Trump’s agenda, which includes extending tax cuts, reducing government size, imposing higher import tariffs, and dealing with illegal immigration. A significant percentage of Trump supporters seek upheaval and change, as indicated by AP VoteCast data. However, recent events have emphasized the challenges Trump could encounter in swiftly achieving his objectives, especially with narrow majorities in Congress. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota described the budget confrontation as a necessary lesson in unity and strategy.
The saga began with the release of the continuing resolution bill to fund the government until March, prompting criticism from Elon Musk and eventually drawing Trump’s involvement. Trump urged Republicans to reject the bipartisan agreement and demanded an increase in the debt limit to avoid dealing with the issue during his tenure. Despite altering his demands multiple times, Trump’s efforts were rebuffed when 38 Republicans voted against the bill, a remarkable defiance of his authority within the party.
In response, Trump threatened a government shutdown if his terms were not met, emphasizing his belief that Democratic President Joe Biden would be held responsible. His shifting demands and the Republican dissent illuminated challenges ahead for Trump in navigating legislative hurdles and achieving his policy objectives.
He stated that members of his party who refused to cooperate would face primary challenges, emphasizing that “Republican obstructionists must be removed.” Specifically targeting Rep. Chip Roy of Texas with insults, lawmakers ultimately omitted the debt ceiling increase, passing a final deal early Saturday. Despite attempts by Musk and other Trump allies to spin it as a victory due to the reduced legislation and removal of unpopular items like congressional pay raises, House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned being in constant communication with Trump, who was reportedly pleased with the outcome. However, Trump himself did not confirm his agreement and remained silent following the final vote, opting to go golfing at his Florida resort instead.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, credited the president-elect with preventing a deal filled with Democratic priorities and congressional pay raises, highlighting Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency’s mission to eliminate wasteful spending in Washington. Anticipating further clashes, the recent funding battle mirrored the chaotic tone of Trump’s first term, particularly the government shutdown over funding for a border wall. As Trump continues to assert influence over his party, he faces opposition from conservatives concerned about the growing federal debt and potential backlash from voters if significant cuts are made to essential programs.
The upcoming spending debates will test Trump’s sway in the House, especially as he pursues costly tax cuts and tariff policies that could impact consumer prices. Misalignments may persist between Trump’s spending priorities and House Republicans’ focus on fiscal responsibility, with Rep. Dan Crenshaw highlighting the divergence as a key issue moving forward.
There was no sense that the animosity was dying down on Saturday. Some Republicans faulted the House leadership for not securing Trump’s “blessing” on the original deal. Democrats cast Trump as second fiddle to Musk. While Trump stayed quiet, Biden announced that he signed the budget legislation. “This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted,” he said. “But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity.” Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida, and Colvin from New York.
