Staff Reports
The House of Representatives has gone on recess without passing a spending bill to keep the government running. The deadline for this bill is September 30th, and as usual, both parties are in a frenzy over spending cuts and throwing around talking points. However, amidst the chaos, some Trump supporters on Capitol Hill see an opportunity to help the former president with his legal troubles.
Donald Trump has been supporting a group of hard-right Republicans who are threatening a government shutdown. He believes that by shutting down the government, he can also shut down investigations into him by the Justice Department. Trump has made it clear that he sees this as a chance to “defund the political prosecutions against me and other patriots.” Unfortunately for him, a government shutdown wouldn’t necessarily put an end to these investigations. The Justice Department has stated that criminal investigations must continue during a shutdown, as they are essential to the safety of human life and the protection of property.
In a backup plan, Trump’s supporters in Congress have suggested defunding the investigators, such as special counsels, to prevent them from investigating Trump without congressional approval. They have even proposed withholding federal funds from state courts investigating the president. While Congress does have the power to control spending and could potentially pass such measures, it is highly unlikely that they would ever be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Let’s face the reality here, folks. These attempts to protect Trump from legal proceedings are just wishful thinking. Similar efforts have been made in the past, and they have not succeeded. Trump will eventually have to face trial, but it may not happen for months. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the drama and intrigue surrounding the potential government shutdown while knowing that the investigations into Trump will continue.
