At some point, the government will reopen, but the fight that has shut the government down this week is in some ways unique. For Democrats, this is the chance to show their base they have the capacity to stand up to President Trump. For Trump, this is an opportunity to punish Democrats, cut funding to blue states and fire even more federal workers.
Clip: Why this shutdown is different and what Trump is getting out of it
Oct. 03, 2025 AT 8:25 p.m. EDT
FROM THIS EPISODE
Clip: Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/3/25
Funding fights in Washington usually play out like games of chicken. Right now, neither party seems ready to give in. Join moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, Leigh Ann Caldwell of Puck News, Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News, and Toluse Olorunnipa and Ashley Parker of The Atlantic.
Clip: Russell Vought and his role in expanding executive power
Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is one of the key architects of Project 2025. He's now taking a key role in the Trump administration's attempt to transform the government. The panel discusses his moves and motivations.
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