OPINION:
Sen. Andy Kim went on national news on Sunday and said some of his fellow Democrats might shut down the government to stop President Donald Trump from — his words, his oddly chosen and unclear words — “continuing[ing] this lawlessness” and “taking steps that are so clearly illegal.” Like what? Never you mind. That’s for Democrats to know and the rest of America to quietly accept.
Anyhow, ridiculous accusations to the side for the moment, the national MAGA response to Kim should be this: Go ahead; shut down the government. Make like a Nike and just do it.
Shutting down the government only advances the fine work of Elon Musk and DOGE because it clearly demonstrates which offices are essential, versus which are not, and which employees are essential, and which should be fired.
If DOGE is all about saving tax dollars and rooting out waste and corruption, then shutting government down is sort of like the clean slate approach; the bottom up approach. Start with nothing, then add to the pot as needs arise. What better way to show the American people that most of what federal government does is non-essential, not necessary and not worthwhile to keep?
It’s like the libertarian’s guide to good governance. Err on the side of savings.
Shutting down government doesn’t disband the military, stop Social Security checks from being mailed, or send all the air traffic control workers home. It doesn’t even stop mail from being delivered. It does send some IRS agents packing — good thing. It does send some climate change regulatory nuts working as inspectors for the Environmental Protection Agency packing — another good thing.
And yes, while it may cause some disruptions in federal employees’ pay, fact is that these feds will get their money when the shutdown has ended — unlike the private sector, when companies impose mandated furloughs on workers. Retroactive pay, plus a forced vacation; the hits just keep on coming.
“Democrats Hint at Government Shutdown to Stop Trump’s Axing at Federal Agencies,” The New York Times reported.
“Democratic senator says his party is ready to shut down government over Trump’s actions,” The Hill wrote.
“Trump’s actions” — he meant the cutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development and Musk’s continuing investigations into waste.
Kim said: “I cannot support efforts that will continue this lawlessness that we’re seeing when it comes to this administration’s actions. And for us to be able to support government funding in that way only for them to turn it around, to dismantle the government — that is not something that should be allowed.”
So the Democrats are taking their ball and going home?
“I’ve worked in government,” Kim went on, to NBC on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, The Hill reported. “I’ve worked through multiple government shutdowns. I would be the last person who would want to get to that stage, but we are at a point where we are basically on the cusp of a constitutional crisis. Seeing this administration taking steps that are so clearly illegal.”
Exposing waste.
Cutting waste.
Returning wasted dollars to the hard-working American taxpayer.
These are “clearly illegal” actions in Democrats’ minds?
Shutting down government is doing the Republicans a favor — the American taxpayer a favor. If Democrats want to help whittle the federal workforce, then hey now, ho now, that’s a cause that unites.
It’s the first winning idea Democrats have had in at least four years of politicking.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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