WASHINGTON — Following days filled with ultimatums and threats, Donald Trump found himself with little to celebrate after lawmakers reached a budget agreement in the early hours of Saturday, successfully avoiding a potential government shutdown before Christmas. Although the president-elect managed to persuade House Republicans to trim some expenditures, he was unable to secure his primary objective of increasing the debt limit. This outcome highlighted that despite his resounding electoral victory and repeated warnings of retribution, several members of his party felt free to oppose him openly.
Trump’s intervention in the budget discussions just a month prior to his inauguration illustrated that he appears to excel more at derailing agreements than at fostering them. This sets a precedent for what many anticipate will be a second term rife with discord, chaos, and political standoffs, much like his first. Representative Steve Womack from Arkansas advised, “Stay tuned. Buckle up. Strap in,” implying a tumultuous road ahead.
As Trump prepares to push his agenda, there are numerous potential flashpoints on the horizon. He aims to prolong the tax cuts he enacted seven years ago, reduce governmental size, elevate import tariffs, and increase measures against illegal immigration. Many of these initiatives will require collaboration and consensus within Congress, which could prove challenging given the current slim Republican majorities.
Support from Trump’s voter base reveals a yearning for upheaval, with 37 percent calling for “complete and total upheaval,” according to a comprehensive voter survey. Additionally, 56 percent expressed a desire for “substantial change.” However, recent developments illustrate the hurdles he may encounter in rapidly implementing his plans.
The issues became clear when top lawmakers unveiled a bill known as a continuing resolution, necessary to maintain federal operations until March. Surprisingly, it was not Trump but Elon Musk, a close ally and the world’s richest individual, who initiated a backlash against the proposal via social media, branding it as excessive spending.
Pressing further into the fray, Trump demanded that Republicans retract the bipartisan agreement with Democrats. He also insisted on raising the debt limit, hoping to sidestep this contentious issue during his upcoming administration. His demands fluctuated throughout, pivoting from wanting to abolish the debt limit to requesting a suspension until 2027 and, later, an extension to 2029.
Trump insisted that if a government shutdown occurred, it would be blamed on Democratic President Joe Biden. “All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote ‘YES’ for this Bill, TONIGHT!” he declared. Yet, in a surprising turn, 38 Republicans opposed the proposal, a clear rebuke to Trump’s authority over his party.
He argued that if their demands were not met, a government shutdown should ensue, warning that fellow Republicans would face challenges in upcoming primaries if they resisted, specifically calling out Texas Representative Chip Roy.
In the end, the debt ceiling increase was omitted from the final bill, which passed in the early hours of Saturday. Musk and other Trump supporters attempted to frame this outcome as a victory, as it resulted in a leaner final agreement without contentious provisions like pay raises for Congress members. House Speaker Mike Johnson identified Trump as being “certainly happy about this outcome,” although neither Trump nor his representatives publicly confirmed their satisfaction.
After a flurry of social media activity during the negotiations, Trump remained silent before the final vote and opted to engage in leisure activities instead, heading out to play golf at his Florida resort.
Trump’s spokesperson highlighted his role in averting a deal laden with provisions they labeled as “Democrat pork.” Looking forward to January, they expressed expectations for a continued mission to eliminate waste in Washington, referencing a newly formed advisory panel in charge of efficiency, led by Musk.
Looking ahead, similar confrontations appear likely as funding debates echo the tumultuous nature of Trump’s first term, which included a prolonged government shutdown following his insistence on border wall funding. At that time, 60 percent of Americans placed the blame for the shutdown squarely on Trump.
Now, he is reasserting pressure regarding his Cabinet appointees, urging hesitant Republican senators to support his controversial choices, such as anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
Persistent debates about spending will continue to test Trump’s sway within the House, as many conservatives perceive federal debt growth as a critical issue while some Republicans fear backlash from sharp cuts to popular programs.
Moreover, discussions surrounding tax cuts following his campaign promises could complicate matters further, as Trump wishes to prolong existing tax cuts that are set to lapse next year, and reduce the corporate tax rate for domestic manufacturers.
Trump has indicated that he intends to offset revenue losses with new tariffs, a move that could lead to increased consumer prices. Representative Dan Crenshaw conveyed concerns that conflicts over spending might linger between Trump and House Republicans, who prioritize fiscal restraint.
On Saturday, signs of ongoing tension remained evident, with some Republicans noting that House leadership failed to secure Trump’s endorsement of the original deal, while Democrats characterized Trump as subordinate to Musk.
While Trump remained reticent, President Biden took the opportunity to announce the signing of the budget agreement, referring to it as a compromise that did not fulfill all requests while safeguarding government operations.
