How much extra power would a government shutdown give Trump?

"Trump could use executive power to reshape federal agencies and force layoffs during a shutdown, experts say. A fight between Republicans and Democrats in the US could lead to an October 1 federal government shutdown. Democrats are trying to leverage the must-pass bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies; the Trump administration is tying a shutdown to potential mass federal worker layoffs."

"If the government shuts down, President Donald Trump and his administration which has already defied norms on executive power likely will seek to exert more power. Trump's Office of Management and Budget under Russell Vought has moved with more executive authority over spending, which is typically left to Congress. The administration took steps to cancel foreign aid and asserted power to withhold billions in domestic spending."

"Trump could use a shutdown to dismantle government functions, wrote Max Stier, chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit focused on improving the federal government. If lawmakers can't reach a deal, Stier wrote, Trump and Vought will have enormous latitude to determine which services, programmes and employees can be sidelined decisions that could go far beyond what has occurred during past shutdowns."

An unresolved budget fight could trigger an October 1 federal government shutdown. Democrats seek extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversal of recent Medicaid cuts; Republicans seek a temporary spending extension at current levels without additions. The Trump administration is tying the shutdown to potential mass federal worker layoffs and has expanded executive control over spending through the Office of Management and Budget under Russell Vought. The administration has canceled some foreign aid and asserted authority to withhold billions in domestic spending. A shutdown could allow the president and OMB to determine which services, programs, and employees are sidelined, potentially exceeding past precedents and Antideficiency Act limits.

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