House Speaker Johnson Blames Democrats, Nations Face Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has strongly criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic leaders for their refusal to pass a short-term funding measure, which has led to a government shutdown. Johnson accused Democrats of hypocrisy, highlighting their past statements condemning shutdowns while now blocking bipartisan efforts to prevent the current one. He blamed Schumer for the shutdown, citing Democrats' demands for increased spending and taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants, which Johnson claims were addressed by recent Medicaid reforms signed by President Trump. Johnson emphasized that the shutdown is causing real harm to vulnerable groups, including women, infants, veterans, and suicide prevention programs. Additionally, Johnson defended President Trump's controversial actions regarding the firing of attorneys related to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, asserting that a grand jury authorized the indictment independently of Trump. Throughout his interviews, Johnson repeatedly framed the shutdown and legal controversies as consequences of Democratic obstruction and alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice against conservatives.