A shutdown of the United States government is now underway as Congress failed to sign a new budget into effect over the weekend. President Donald Trump, as is his way, took to Twitter to air his feelings regarding the event, blaming the Democratic party for causing the interruption in governmental proceedings.
What do Donald Trump's tweets about the government shutdown mean?
Why does President Trump blame the Democrats for the failure to usher in a new budget? The answer is simple. It seems the party is holding the budget hostage in favor of pushing through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, otherwise known as DACA, which is a program to protect undocumented people who came into the country as children.
It allows them to live and work in the US, as long as they meet certain criteria.
The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2018
Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Can’t let that happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
Former President Obama is responsible for creating DACA. President Trump is doing away with the program, but he has given Congress a six-month window in which to offer legislation to take its place. According to the Guardian, Donald Trump does not plan on deporting those who fall under the policy unless "they are criminals, involved in criminal activity, or are members of a gang."
The first expirations from DACA will not begin until March 5, but the budget needs to be addressed now.
Apparently, the Democrats are giving this program priority over that of the government budget and shutdown. So, in essence, they are putting undocumented non-citizens above those who were rightfully born as American citizens. Hence, the strong tweets from our current president.
Government shutdown a play by Democrats to get their way with DACA?
.@davidwebbshow: "Let's look at the calendar. It's January 20th. DACA expires on March 5th. That means this was a construct of @TheDemocrats." #shutdown pic.twitter.com/g2lsN9CM6K
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 21, 2018
Tommy Hicks, Jr. of The Hill believes the Dems are sabotaging the government, reports USA Today.
"Never before in American history has a major political party put the interests of lawbreaking foreign nationals ahead of the interests of law abiding Americans. Yet that is exactly what the Democrats have done in holding the government hostage to extract special favors for illegal immigrants."
FACT: Majority of Americans think approving a budget to stop a government shutdown should be a bigger priority for Congress than passing a bill to fix DACA.
— GOP (@GOP) January 22, 2018
The American people have spoken. The ball’s in your court, Senate Democrats. #SchumerShutdown
This tweet from the GOP is correct that the majority of American citizens believe signing a new budget is more important than the issue of DACA.
A recent CNN poll showed that 56 percent of the American people prioritized avoiding a government shutdown over DACA. That makes sense, considering the shutdown affects many more people than does DACA. Adding to that, the DACA deadline is still several weeks away, whereas the budget and government shutdown are imminent.
Who do you think is responsible for the shutdown?
