Trump blames Democrats for terrorizing Americans over Obamacare amid government shutdown
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump said Democrats are to blame for the prolonged federal government shutdown, accusing them of blocking approval of next year's federal budget.
He claimed the American people are "being terrorized by Democrats," saying Democrats closed the government to pressure the administration into continuing subsidies for the Obamacare healthcare program.
"The largest Health Insurance Companies have seen their Stock Prices soar (some over 1000%!) since the passage of Obamacare. Meanwhile, Americans' premiums have more than doubled, contrary to President Obama's promise," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The US President said Obamacare funds should go directly to people "to purchase better healthcare, and create competition." He added that this issue, he claimed, was the reason for the shutdown.
"I stand ready to work with both parties to solve this problem once the government is open. Stop terrorizing the American people. Stop pushing failed policies!" he added.
Shutdown and its consequences
The shutdown, the suspension of US federal government operations due to a lack of approved funding, has now lasted 39 days, breaking all previous records in the United States.
Economists estimate daily losses to the US economy at about $15 billion. Numerous federal agencies are already feeling the budget restrictions, and US airlines have canceled more than 1,000 flights.
American troops in Germany are being sent to food banks because of the shutdown. Around 37,000 US soldiers stationed there risk going unpaid for November.
Worse, the prolonged partial government closure has delayed the export of over $5 billion worth of US weapons destined for NATO allies and Ukraine.
