Obama blames Republicans for government shutdown at Virginia rally
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Former President Barack Obama criticized Republicans on Saturday for the ongoing shutdown of the federal government.
“The government is paralyzed and the Republicans who are running Congress right now won’t even pretend to solve the problem,” the 64-year-old said at a rally while campaigning for former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., who is now a Democratic candidate for governor in Norfolk, Virginia. “They didn’t even show up for work, not for a session. Where are you? What are you doing?”
The government shutdown began a month ago, on Oct. 1, after lawmakers failed to pass a spending bill to fund the government, with Democrats fearing that the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax cuts could raise premiums and that Medicaid cuts could leave people without coverage.
Republicans have blamed Democrats for the shutdown, with Trump recently calling them “crazy fools.”
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Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger on Saturday in Norfolk, Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
“The shutdown is happening because Democrats just don’t know what they’re doing,” President Donald Trump told reporters this week. I don’t know what’s wrong with them. They have never done anything like this. They went crazy crazy. All they have to do is say, “Let’s go, let’s go.” Let’s open our country. And everything returns to its shape. So there is something wrong with them. »
Trump also suggested getting rid of the filibuster.
“Remember, Republicans, regardless of the Schumer Shutdown, Democrats will end the filibuster as soon as they get the chance,” he wrote Saturday on Truth Socila. “They will pack the Supreme Court, put two states together, and add at least 8 electoral votes. Both of their opponents are gone!!! Don’t be WEAK AND STUPID. FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! WIN, WIN, WIN! We will immediately END the extortion shutdown, pass ALL of our programs, and make life so great for Americans that these deranged Democratic politicians will never have the chance to DESTROY again AMERICA!”
He added: “Republicans, you will rue the day you didn’t end the FILIBUSTER!!! BE TOUGH, BE SMART AND WIN!!! This is bigger than the Shutdown, this is the survival of our country!”
Obama did not mention Democrats’ role in the shutdown when he spoke about it Saturday. He did, however, have some choice words for Trump and his administration.
“Our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now. It’s hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers us a new batch of lawlessness, recklessness, pettiness and just plain insanity,” he charged.
Shutdown sparks strategic debate: Will Trump and Republicans pay the political price in 2026?
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger joins former President Barack Obama at a campaign event Saturday in Norfolk, Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The former president joked, “It’s like it’s Halloween every day. Except it’s all tricks and no treats. Lo and behold, it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. I admit, it’s worse than I expected. But I warned you all.”
He said that while the economy has been good for Trump’s “billionaire cronies,” the costs have not improved for the average person.
Obama said “there is absolutely no evidence that Republican policies have made your life better,” while asserting that Republicans are more focused on “scapegoating.”[ing] minorities and DEI for every problem under the sun. Do you have a flat tire? DEI. my wife is angry with you? DEI.”
Former President Barack Obama with New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherill on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“What they haven’t put any energy into is helping you,” he told the crowd. “They have not presented serious proposals to reduce housing costs or make groceries more affordable.”
He urged the crowd to vote for Spanberger, who is facing Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for an open state seat.
Later Saturday, Obama traveled to New Jersey for a rally with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who is in a tight race against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
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“I don’t know many people who started their careers as a helicopter pilot in the Navy, then went to law school, then became a federal prosecutor, keeping communities safe,” Obama told a crowd in Newark. “And she’s doing this while raising four kids. And then because apparently it was a little too easy, she decided to run for Congress. I’m tired just thinking about it. But I know that makes her the kind of leader who understands the mission, who knows who she’s supposed to serve, who doesn’t have a lot of time to apologize. And that’s exactly what New Jersey needs right now.”
