DSR's Words Matter Welcome to a Government Shutdown Only A Mussolini Could Love
Oct 3, 2025
Norm Ornstein, a political scholar and congressional expert, shares his insights on the unprecedented government shutdown. He discusses how Trump weaponizes the shutdown against blue states and infrastructure, along with the legal and moral violations involved. Ornstein critiques GOP leadership's complicity and highlights disturbing tactics used by ICE and the FBI. He examines the erosion of democratic norms and the urgent need for public education on government roles. Norm argues that a solid Democratic stance could sway public opinion in their favor.
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Shutdown As A Political Weapon
- The Trump shutdown is being weaponized to punish blue states and projects while selectively targeting opponents.
- Norman Ornstein warns this approach is unprecedented and threatens democratic norms.
Three Words To Describe The Crisis
- Norman Ornstein calls the administration's shutdown actions illegal, indecent, and incompetent.
- He details selective withholding of funds and unlawful firings as a systemic attack on government functions.
Disturbing Raids During The Shutdown
- Ornstein recounts ICE and FBI raids during the shutdown that included removing children and ignoring citizenship checks.
- He describes zip-tying children and detaining American citizens without apparent concern for IDs.