President Trump once again demonstrates how 4D Chess works while Democrats accuse Republicans of refusing to negotiate.
Democrats forced a government shutdown over healthcare for illegal aliens. I guess you can also view it from the other perspective. Republicans forced a government shutdown over healthcare for illegal aliens. It's like when you are negotiating a car deal, and the salesman says, "Are you seriously going to pass on this car over a measly $250 documentation fee?" Your reply is, "Are you?" One option involves spending more, while the other does not.
Trump says if the Democrats refuse to remove healthcare for illegal aliens from the spending bill, he will start mass layoffs of federal employees. He says his focus on which agencies to shutdown are Democrat organizations such as the Freedom Caucus. That takes the issue out of the "to spend or not to spend" category and places it firmly into the realm of "FA&FO."
This shutdown gives the President more discretion in where to spend available funding. You can't fund everything during a shutdown.
The irony in Dems accusing the GOP of not negotiating is how often they play that card. When they are in power, they push through whatever they want while they have the numbers. When roles reverse, suddenly it's expected of the majority to negotiate. If the GOP capitulates in oder to reopen the government, the Dems will predictably call them out for having the majority and getting nothing accomplished. As Obama famously said, "We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."
What's the use in gaining a majority in the House & Senate, a President, and a Supreme Court that is more fair than Liberally biaed just to squander that away on the other side's criticisms? They are going to accuse you of not doing something right no matter which way you go, so don't be so afraid of their BS.
https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/unprecedented-opportunity-trump-reveals-plan-to-exploit-shutdown-to-ax-democrat-agencies/