Title: Trump Predicts Likely U.S. Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that a federal government shutdown is “likely” as Congress remains deadlocked ahead of a midnight deadline to pass funding legislation. “Nothing is inevitable, but I would say it’s probably likely,” Trump told reporters.

Both Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other for the impending shutdown, which could halt operations at many government agencies and lead to the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Republicans argue that a bill to extend federal funding for seven weeks is not controversial. However, Democrats have indicated they will not support the bill unless it includes an extension for expiring health care benefits.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for not negotiating health care spending before the deadline, stating they have refused to consider any compromises. Meanwhile, Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump, have made claims that Democrats want to extend health care benefits to “illegal aliens,” despite the fact that unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for these programs.

The potential shutdown may also impact Canadians. Travelers could experience longer wait times at airports and possible closures of national parks. Matthew Lebo, a political science professor at Western University in London, Ontario, noted, “It’s possible that getting in and out of the country will be made more difficult, that they will use this to reduce staff at border crossings.”

The American Immigration Lawyers Association stated that while Customs and Border Protection is considered an essential service and will continue operations, the processing of border applications may be affected, along with potential disruptions in consular services.

Despite the shutdown, Trump’s tariff agenda is expected to continue. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that tariffs will still be collected during the funding lapse. Canada is currently facing 35 percent tariffs on goods that do not comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), in addition to separate duties on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper.

Government shutdowns are not new; two occurred during Trump’s first term. They can last from hours to weeks. Lebo remarked, “It’s definitely gotten more common and the brinksmanship has gotten a lot more common.” The longest shutdown in U.S. history occurred during Trump’s presidency when he demanded funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, resulting in a 35-day shutdown from late 2018 into early 2019. During that time, essential employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff, were required to work without pay, leading to increased sick calls and significant airport delays.

Lebo indicated that this shutdown could differ from previous ones, as Trump might use it as an opportunity to fire employees instead of merely furloughing them, as his administration seeks to reduce the size of the federal government. Reports suggest the White House has instructed agencies to prepare for mass firings if the government shuts down. Trump confirmed this possibility during his remarks on Tuesday, placing the blame on Democrats.

Historically, government shutdowns are unpopular among the American public. Lebo suggested that the party in power, which currently is the Republicans controlling the House, Senate, and presidency, will likely bear the brunt of the blame if a shutdown occurs.