WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump isn’t curtailing travel. He’s not avoiding golf or working with a skeleton staff in the West Wing. Even hamburgers served at the White House aren’t from McDonald's this time.
In previous shutdowns, including during Trump’s first term, presidents typically reduced their schedules and sent home ‘non-essential’ staff to project empathy towards Americans impacted by the disruption. The ongoing shutdown has left around 750,000 federal employees furloughed, with others working without pay, and funding lapsing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), affecting 1 in 8 Americans reliant on food assistance.
Yet, Trump has maintained a robust public agenda amid the shutdown.
“It’s like that country song: ‘Sometimes falling feels like flying for a little while,’” said Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to President Bill Clinton, who faced two shutdowns in his presidency. “They seem to be like, ‘So far, so good, man.’”
Ballroom Building, Golf, Fundraisers, and Travel
Trump is currently on a six-day swing through Asia after a whirlwind Middle East trip celebrating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has hosted fundraisers at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, showcasing a commitment to his political ambitions amidst the federal hiatus.
Members of the Cabinet are also active, with Vice President JD Vance traveling to Israel, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressing protests in Portland, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visiting the TOPGUN school in Nevada.
Only 32% of staff in the Executive Office of the President are set to be furloughed during this shutdown, a decrease from 61% during the last one. This high level of staffing has contributed to a perception that little has changed, contrary to the disruptions caused by the shutdown.
“I don’t even know if they’re supposed to be working, but they wouldn’t miss a day,” Trump remarked at a recent event.
In contrast to his first term, where he curtailed weekend golf and faced public scrutiny for a shutdown that extended into a new year, the current administration has taken a different approach, maintaining high visibility and activity.
Political Strategy and Historical Context
Trump’s strategy of proceeding with business as usual during the shutdown carries political advantages, presenting him as a functioning leader while sidestepping congressional conflicts. “It’s a much smarter approach,” noted Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence.
This shutdown management differs significantly from Trump's previous term in which he openly claimed ownership of the shutdown aimed at securing funding for border policies. Currently, Trump’s administration is focused on reframing the responsibility to Congress while indicating a willingness to endure the political fallout.
Historical perspectives reveal past presidents, like Barack Obama, who used shutdowns to illustrate their impact directly. However, the present administration’s public communications have shifted blame and showcased both resilience and assertiveness.
Polling indicates that Americans are split on accountability, with 60% attributing significant responsibility to Trump and Republican lawmakers, while 54% believe congressional Democrats share culpability.
In sum, Trump's leadership amidst the shutdown seeks to cast a robust image, continuing policy drives while placing political blame strategically. This contrasts with a tradition of heightened sensitivity in past administrations, highlighting a clear strategic pivot in handling governmental disruptions.
