GOP Embraces Role Reversal in Shutdown Fight
Republicans are relishing a role reversal in the shutdown fight as the impasse entered its fifth day, putting Democrats on the defensive. Senate Republican John Thune said some Democrats are seeking an "off‑ramp" and that he has spoken with "reasonable Democrats" about reopening the government, while blaming left‑wing special interest groups and criticizing Democratic leadership as "stuck" and attributing the resistance to "Trump derangement syndrome" in an interview on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures ahead of a scheduled Senate funding vote.
Government
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- As the shutdown reached its fifth day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said some Democrats are seeking an "off‑ramp" and that he has had conversations with "reasonable Democrats" about reopening the government.
- Thune blamed "left‑wing special interest groups" for Democratic resistance, labeled Democratic leadership as "stuck," and described the opposition as "Trump derangement syndrome."
- Thune made the comments in an interview on Fox's "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo.
- The reporting noted the Senate is slated to vote on funding on Monday.
- All of these details were reported by Fox News (story published October 5, 2025).
📚 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.
- Russell Vought served as the Director (chief) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- OMB is the abbreviation for the Office of Management and Budget, an office within the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for assisting the President in preparing the federal budget and supervising its administration in executive agencies.
📰 Sources (2)
Top Senate Republican reveals why Democrats are ‘stuck’ as shutdown reaches day five
New information:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said some Democrats are seeking an 'off‑ramp' and that he has had conversations with 'reasonable Democrats' about reopening the government.
- Thune blamed 'left‑wing special interest groups' and framed the Democratic leadership as 'stuck,' calling the resistance 'Trump derangement syndrome.'
- The comments were given in an interview on Fox's 'Sunday Morning Futures' with Maria Bartiromo and reported as the shutdown reached its fifth day; the Senate is slated to vote on funding on Monday.