Trump Signals Willingness to Negotiate with Democrats as Government Shutdown Persists

Washington, Oct 7: The U.S. government shutdown entered its sixth day on Monday, with President Donald Trump signalling his willingness to negotiate with Democrats to end the impasse that has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I am happy to work with the Democrats on their failed healthcare policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our government to re open.” Earlier, while addressing the media, he confirmed that negotiations on healthcare with Democrats were underway.

“We are speaking with the Democrats, and some very good things could happen with respect to healthcare,” he added.

The deadlock has persisted as both parties continue to trade blame. Republicans have accused Democrats of seeking healthcare subsidies for undocumented immigrants, while Democrats maintain they are demanding the reversal of cuts to healthcare programs for U.S. citizens made under the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year.

A Senate vote to reopen the government failed again on Monday, with both sides refusing to compromise. While Republicans control both chambers of Congress, they remain eight votes short of the 60 needed in the Senate to pass the funding bill.

Meanwhile, the White House has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis. Although President Trump claimed on Sunday that the administration had already begun firing federal workers, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the Office of Management and Budget is still assessing potential layoffs.

“We are continuing to work with agencies on who, unfortunately, is going to have to be laid off if this shutdown continues,” Leavitt said.

Approximately 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while many others are working without pay. The administration has also frozen $26 billion in federal funding for 16 Democratic leaning states, including $18 billion for transit projects in New York.

Essential services such as border protection, air traffic control, and law enforcement remain operational, but other areas including food assistance programs, national parks, and early education services are facing severe disruptions.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the shutdown could soon halt the federal program that subsidises air travel to rural areas, potentially grounding flights to small communities.

“Many small towns across the country will lose air service if funding runs out this week,” Duffy said.

Tourism has also been hit hard. Around two thirds of National Park Service staff have been furloughed, affecting sites such as Carlsbad Caverns, Petrified Forest, and White Sands National Parks. In Washington, D.C., major attractions including the Library of Congress, National Archives, Washington Monument, and Capitol tours remain closed.

The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo will remain open until October 11, officials said.

This marks the first U.S. government shutdown in seven years, following the 35 day closure during Trump’s first term, which remains the longest in U.S. history.