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Shutdown ignites strategist debate: Will Trump and GOP pay the political price in 2026?
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The 2025 government shutdown is about to enter its second week, with Democrats and Republicans still unable to agree on a federal funding deal.
It’s the first government shutdown since 2019, when federal agencies were shuttered for 35 days.
Both sides have been blaming the other for the dysfunction in Washington; Democrats are accusing Republicans of letting healthcare premiums go up for millions of Americans, while the GOP is blaming the left for putting vulnerable Americans at risk while holding the government hostage for partisan demands.
HERE’S WHAT TRUMP WANTS TO DO TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SHUTDOWN
Political strategists who spoke with Fox News Digital, however, have downplayed the shutdown’s effects on the coming 2026 elections.
«Every time there has been a shutdown, there have been a myriad of stories on winners and losers, who gets the blame, what does it mean for the elections, etc. And yet, every time the result is the same — voters aren’t thinking about the last shutdown when they vote,» GOP strategist Doug Heye told Fox News Digital.
«Republicans ‘lost’ the 2013 shutdown. Impacts on the 2014 election? Zero. Could this be different? Maybe. But there’s nothing to suggest that yet.»
Others have suggested Republicans could see some public blame, but similarly argued that other issues — namely, the economy and cost of living — would take precedence in voters’ minds next year.
The government entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal funding. (Getty Images)
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SPARKS GOP PLAN TO PENALIZE LAWMAKERS WITH NEW SALARY TAX
«Ultimately, what’s going to decide the midterms next year is going to be the economy. People are very upset about the economy. They’re very upset about inflation. They were promised that everything was going to get less expensive. Now everything’s more expensive,» said Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist and founder of fundraising and campaigns firm Authentic.
«So I think that’s going to be a much greater decider than the government shutdown.»
In the short term, however, Nellis said he saw Republicans bearing the brunt of the blame — noting they control the House, Senate and White House.
«Typically, neither party looks good during a shutdown, just broadly. But the party in power gets blamed for what’s happening,» he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to reporters at the White House with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Vice President JD Vance behind him during negotiations with President Trump and congressional leaders on Sept. 29, 2025. (Annabelle Gordon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, John Feehery of EFB Advocacy, who served as press secretary to former Republican House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert, said blame would fall mostly along party lines.
He added that Independents, however, would likely blame the GOP, «because they are the ones who typically like shutdowns.»
«I would say that even though the Democrats clearly are to blame for this, because this is their strategy, I think Republicans are going to get blamed slightly more than the Democrats,» Feehery said.
On the 2026 electoral impacts, however, he said, «There’s winners and losers in the parlor games in Washington, but amongst the American people … they blame both sides, and they don’t seem to really take it out on whoever the party in power is.»
Brad Bannon of polling firm Bannon Communications Research, a Democratic strategist, said inflation would likely matter more than the shutdown in 2026.
«If prices start going down, you know, the whole issue would not be a problem for Republicans, and it won’t have any impact,» Bannon said. «I think the key question is not how long the shutdown lasts, but how much, in 13 months, inflation continues to be a problem.»
He pointed to a recent poll in the Washington Post that showed Republicans seeing slightly more blame for the current shutdown than Democrats in terms of short-term impact.
That poll showed 47% of Americans blaming Republicans, compared to 30% blaming Democrats. Twenty-three percent of people were undecided.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, speaks to the media next to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on the day President Trump met with top congressional leaders at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
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The shutdown is poised to enter its second week after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP’s plan for a fourth time on Friday.
The measure, called a continuing resolution (CR), is a mostly flat seven-week extension of current federal funding levels. It also would include $88 million in security funding for lawmakers, the White House and the judicial branch — which has bipartisan support.
But Democrats in the House and Senate were infuriated by being sidelined in federal funding talks.
They have been pushing for an extension of Obamacare subsidies enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enhancements would expire by the end of 2025 without congressional action.
Republican leaders have signaled openness to discussions about reforming and enhancing those healthcare credits but are rejecting Democrats’ demand to include them in the seven-week bill.
politics,government shutdown,congress,elections
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Conservative immigration experts split on whether Trump is ‘backing down’ in MN ICE fight
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Conservative immigration experts were split on whether President Donald Trump was «backing down» after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the president told him he was considering reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota after they went into the state to enforce immigration law.
In addition to reported plans to retreat from Minnesota, the top Border Patrol official leading deportation operations around the country, including in Minnesota, will be reassigned back to his former duties as chief of Border Patrol in the El Centro, California sector as of currently, Fox News’ Bill Melugin reported.
«If the Trump Administration accedes to Minnesota’s unreasonable, unlawful demands, it will have surrendered the rule of law to thugs and brigands. Lawlessness is a choice, and it’s not a choice that the Trump administration should make, or support in any way,» Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Executive Director Dale Wilcox told Fox News Digital.
«FAIR believes that Congress charged ICE with enforcing the immigration laws of the United States. And that is exactly what ICE should do. The Supreme Court has opined that the power to enforce immigration law belongs exclusively to the federal government. The mere fact that irresponsible state and local leaders in Minnesota have mistakenly led their citizens to believe that they are free to interfere with federal government operations, and have thereby incited civil unrest, is not a valid reason to keep ICE from doing its job.»
BORDER PATROL COMMANDER GREGORY BOVINO TO LEAVE MINNESOTA, AS TOM HOMAN TAKES OVER
ICE split with President Donald Trump. (Trump-Vance Transition Team, ICE)
But, Executive Director at the Center for Immigration Studies Mark Krikorian clapped back at the idea that Trump was «backing down.»
«I didn’t think that’s what Trump is saying – rather, based on his Truth Social post, he was saying ICE won’t have to do at-large arrests if Minnesota changes its sanctuary policies and allows ICE into the jails and prisons to take custody of illegals once the locals have finished with them,» Krikorian told Fox News Digital. «That’s not ending enforcement – that’s returning enforcement to the ways it’s always been done and the way it’s being done even now in non-sanctuary jurisdictions.»
On Monday, President Trump said that «Tim Walz called [him] with the request to work together,» calling it a «very good call» in a post on his platform Truth social.
«I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession. The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I!» Trump continued in his post, writing, «We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have ‘touched’ and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!»
Walz subsequently indicated that President Trump had agreed during the call to consider pulling out some federal agents from Minnesota, so long as Minnesota leaders follow federal immigration detainers and ensure criminal illegal aliens in state custody are transferred to federal officials. Trump’s reported consideration to pull ICE officials out of Minnesota comes after Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey used harsh language, and sometimes expletives, to tell ICE to «get the f— out» of their city and state.
ANIT-ICE MOBS BANKROLLED BY ‘SHADOWY INTERESTS’ PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DANGER, CEO WARNS
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers question a man about his status on Lake Street near Karmel Mall in Minnesota on Dec. 10, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Minnesota’s leaders, in particular those at the state’s Department of Corrections, have been going back-and-forth with the Trump administration over whether it adheres to federal immigration detainers for illegal immigrants caught by police committing crimes. The Trump administration has claimed Minnesota officials’ do not adhere to federal immigration detainers, leading to illegal alien criminals being released back onto the streets, but the state’s Department of Corrections has challenged that assertion, arguing it does adhere to ICE detainers.
Fox News Digital reached out to Homeland Security for comment about concerns the Trump administration was «backing down» and was referred to the White House.
«The Trump Administration remains committed to removing the worst of the worst from American streets – including in Minnesota – and President Trump wants to work with local leaders to get public safety threats out of their communities,» White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. «Democrat leaders must stop inflaming tensions and providing sanctuary to dangerous criminal illegal aliens. The Trump Administration will always enforce the law and do what’s best for the American people.»
Numerous congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were also contacted, asking whether they thought Trump’s potential decision to pull federal agents from Minnesota was «backing down» and whether it might embolden the left in other cities, but none returned comment in time for publication.
«If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, OK, if the mayor and governor are going put our ICE officials in harm’s way and there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives, or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals?» Rep. James Comer, R- Ky., said on Sunday.
Federal law enforcement agents detain a demonstrator during a raid in south Minneapolis, Minnesota. An Oklahoma man is charged with threatening to kill ICE agents, «MAGA Republicans» and politicians, the Justice Department said Wednesday. (Getty Images)
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Amid news of federal agents potentially pulling out of Minnesota, questions began swirling about the status of top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovion, who was tapped by the Trump administration to lead Border Patrol’s large-scale operations like the one occurring in Minnesota.
«Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties. As press secretary Leavitt stated from the White House podium, Gregory Bovino is a key part of the President’s team and a great American,» Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Monday.
But multiple federal sources confirmed to Fox News’ Bil Melugin that Bovino’s position called «Commander of at large operations» has now ended for him. He will now return to his prior duties leading border security efforts in California’s El Centro sector.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, will be traveling to Minnesota soon to continue the border security efforts there in place of Bovino.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
immigration,minneapolis st paul,minnesota,deportation,tim walz,donald trump
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Temporal en Estados Unidos: se espera más aire ártico en ciudades cubiertas de hielo y con cortes de energía
Cuando una gigantesca tormenta invernal se abatió sobre el noreste y partes del sur de Estados Unidos, durante el fin de semana, Lisa Patterson planeó quedarse en la casa de su familia en Nashville.
Pero después de que ella y su esposo se quedaran sin electricidad, los árboles cayeran sobre su entrada y su estufa de leña no bastara para las temperaturas gélidas, la pareja y su perro tuvieron que ser rescatados y llevados a un refugio con calefacción.
«He estado atrapada por la nieve allí durante casi tres semanas sin poder subir y bajar por mi entrada debido a la nieve. Estoy preparada para eso. Pero esto fue sin precedentes«, expresó Patterson.
La familia fue una de muchas en Tennessee y otras partes del sur que han acudido a refugios con calefacción mientras las cuadrillas trabajaban para restaurar la electricidad a cientos de miles de hogares ante una nueva oleada de aire ártico que se esperaba que provocara temperaturas heladas el martes en lugares ya cubiertos de nieve y hielo.
Se han reportado al menos 30 muertes en estados afectados por el frío severo, incluyendo dos personas atropelladas por quitanieves en Massachusetts y Ohio, accidentes fatales de trineo que mataron a adolescentes en Arkansas y Texas, y una mujer cuyo cuerpo fue encontrado cubierto de nieve en Kansas. En la ciudad de Nueva York, las autoridades dijeron que ocho personas fueron encontradas muertas al aire libre durante el gélido fin de semana.
La tormenta había dejado más de 30 centímetros de nieve a lo largo de una franja de 2.100 kilómetros desde Arkansas hasta Nueva Inglaterra, deteniendo el tráfico, cancelando miles de vuelos y provocando el cierre generalizado de escuelas el lunes. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional dijo que las áreas al norte de Pittsburgh recibieron hasta 50 cm de nieve y enfrentaron sensaciones térmicas de hasta -31 grados Celsisus desde el lunes por la noche hasta el martes.
Se pronostican temperaturas récord de frío más generalizadas para el martes, con advertencias de frío extremo desde el este de Texas hasta el oeste de Pensilvania, según el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. En Kentucky, el gobernador Andy Beshear advirtió que las temperaturas podrían ser tan frías que apenas 10 minutos fuera «podrían resultar en congelación o hipotermia».
Y los meteorólogos dijeron que es posible que otra tormenta invernal golpee partes de la costa este este fin de semana.
En la madrugada de este martes todavía había más de 550.000 clientes sin electricidad en el país, según poweroutage.com. La mayoría de ellos estaban en el sur, donde las ráfagas de lluvia helada del fin de semana rompieron ramas de árboles y tendidos eléctricos, causando cortes paralizantes en el norte de Mississippi y partes de Tennessee. Las autoridades advirtieron que podría llevar días restaurar la electricidad.
En Mississippi, el gobernador Tate Reeves dijo el lunes que al menos 14 hogares y 20 carreteras públicas sufrieron daños importantes tras la peor tormenta de hielo del estado desde 1994. La Universidad de Mississippi canceló las clases durante toda la semana ya que su campus en Oxford permanecía cubierto de hielo peligroso.
La ciudad de Nueva York vivió su día más nevado en años, con vecindarios registrando de 20 a 38 cm de nieve, lo que obligó al sistema de escuelas públicas más grande del país a cerrar.
Mientras tanto, un frío intenso siguió a la tormenta. Las poblaciones del medio oeste, sur y noreste despertaron el lunes con temperaturas bajo cero. Se pronosticó que los 48 estados contiguos tendrían su temperatura mínima promedio más fría desde enero de 2014, -12,3 ºC.
Nathan Hoffner envió a su hijo de cuatro años a quedarse con su mamá después de que su casa de alquiler en Nashville perdió electricidad el domingo al mediodía. Él y su compañero de cuarto se abrigaron con ropa y varias mantas durante la noche y para la mañana siguiente la temperatura dentro de la casa había caído drásticamente.
«Veía mi aliento en la casa», comentó Hoffner.
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North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles into sea, show of force ahead of political meetings
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North Korea is flexing its muscles and firing short-range ballistic missiles toward its waters ahead of a major political meeting.
South Korea’s military detected the launches of several ballistic missiles from an area northeast of Pyongyang, North Korea, adding that each missile flew approximately 217 miles, The Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry said that two ballistic missiles launched from North Korea and landed off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to the AP.
These launches represent the first time North Korea fired weapons since testing hypersonic missiles in early January, the AP noted. In December, the country tested long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos of the apparent construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, which would be the first of its kind for Pyongyang, the AP reported.
NORTH KOREA TEST-LAUNCHES HYPERSONIC MISSILE SYSTEM IN FRONT OF KIM, NATION SAYS
A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea’s missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The missile launches come as the ruling party prepares to hold its first full congress in five years, according to the AP, which cited state media. So far, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with other top officials to prepare for the meeting. The top-level meeting will reportedly be used to set new political and economic priorities as the U.S. and South Korea seek renewed talks with North Korea.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the completion of a first-stage modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in North Korea on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
NORTH KOREA RELEASES IMAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which is controlled by the North Korean government, reported in December that Kim presided over a plenary meeting of the Workers Party’s Central Committee in which participants discussed issues related to the party congress and this year’s state policies, the AP reported. The outlet noted that Kim revived the congress in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus.
President Donald Trump, left, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, at the North Korean side of the border at the village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, on June 30, 2019. (Susan Walsh/AP)
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Additionally, North Korea recently accused South Korea of carrying out surveillance drone flights across the border. Seoul has denied operating drones during the times Pyongyang specified and said it began investigating the possibility that civilians sent them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
world,north korea,south korea
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