Trump and Musk's slash-and-burn tactics are a sticking point in talks to prevent a shutdown
President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk are taking a hatchet to federal agencies, using executive power to impose spending and job cuts that have sparked a polarizing debate in the nation’s capital and across the country.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk are taking a hatchet to federal agencies, using executive power to impose spending and job cuts that have sparked a polarizing debate in the nation’s capital and across the country.
The clash has stalled negotiations on Capitol Hill ahead of the March 14 deadline to avert a government shutdown, as Republicans who control the House and the Senate are making it clear they won’t accept constraints on Trump’s authority.
But Democrats have leverage even as the minority party, and they are using it to demand guardrails in the bill to limit the executive branch’s discretion — and require the administration to carry out spending directed by Congress.
“If they want our votes, they need to work with us,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, told reporters Tuesday. “We are close on top-line spending. We need to know Republicans are willing to work with us to protect Congress’ power of the purse — and I welcome any and all ideas they may have on how we can work together to do just that.
“That is the absolute bare minimum, and it is frankly not asking a whole lot. Republicans should not be so eager to let Elon Musk cut off cancer research or clean energy jobs in their districts. They should not follow Elon towards a shutdown,” she added.
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