Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused President Donald Trump of exploiting the ongoing government shutdown to consolidate power, saying he is pushing the U.S. “much closer to a totalitarian state.” Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Murphy argued that Trump enjoys the ability to selectively reopen agencies and reward loyal employees.
“I think one of the reasons that President Trump is refusing to negotiate is because he likes the fact that the government is closed,” Murphy said. “He thinks he can exercise king-like powers.”
Murphy also criticized the $130 million donation from billionaire Timothy Mellon to cover military pay, calling it symptomatic of Trump’s reliance on “a handful of super-rich dudes” to determine government operations.
In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed Murphy as “a buffoon who regularly lies to the American people,” adding that “Democrats could vote to reopen the government anytime they want.”
The government shutdown has stretched into its 24th day, as both parties remain gridlocked over federal spending priorities.
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