Schumer’s Shutdown Prophecy

Back in March, the Senate Democratic leader feared a shutdown would unshackle Trump to run roughshod over what remains of Congress’s funding power. His predictions are now coming true—but Dems feel fine.

One prediction has come true: Back in March, when Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer made the controversial decision to help Republicans keep the government open, his primary concern was that Trump would exploit a shutdown to eliminate government agencies, fire workers, and let DOGE run rampant. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Leigh Ann Caldwell

October 15, 2025

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Two weeks into what could be a very long government shutdown, the Senate is stuck in a miserable cycle: Democrats continue to vote against stopgap funding; President Trump is not engaged; and Speaker Mike Johnson is keeping the House out of session. Anxious staffers are speculating that this federal work stoppage could surpass the longest one in history—the 35-day shutdown of Trump’s first term. And at this point, there’s little reason to believe otherwise. On Wednesday evening, Senate Democrats rejected the G.O.P.-led funding bill for a ninth time.