The 35-day partial government shutdown orchestrated by the president and supposed artful dealmaker Donald Trump was one of the most senseless acts of his administration. Trump's announcement that he and congressional leaders had agreed to fund the government for three weeks was a relief. But it should also lead even the most loyal Trump follower to ask the obvious question: What good did it do? What was gained by grossly inconveniencing 800,000 federal workers and millions of other Americans affected by stopped or slowed government services?
Trump is no closer to funding for a border wall than the day the shutdown began, and his State of the Union speech is in limbo. One point being made everywhere can't be made enough: The Republican president demanded something from a House newly controlled by Democrats that he couldn't get from the House for two years when it was controlled by Republicans.
Trump's election in 2016 remains a landmark moment in U.S. history--a confirmation of the disillusionment of millions of Americans. Most of these Americans may be satisfied with Trump because of the health of the economy and his successful nominations of two conservative Supreme Court justices. But the president's chaotic, impulsive management style has never been more self-evident. If there is another government shutdown in three weeks because Trump believes he can get House Democrats to cave on the border wall, here's another adjective to describe his management style: delusional.
Editorial on 01/29/2019