JD Vance blames Democrats for causing 43-day shutdown ‘all for nothing’

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance delivered his first public remarks following the reopening of the federal government, sharply criticizing Democrats for the 43-day shutdown. He accused them of rejecting the “exact deal” they later accepted, causing widespread harm “all for nothing.”

Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, Vance argued the standoff inflicted unnecessary strain on Americans and federal workers

JD Vance says shutdown inflicted ‘massive pain’ on Americans

“Here’s what the Democrats actually accomplished,” Vance said, denouncing the left for what he called needless political theater. “They caused stress for our troops. Air traffic controllers didn’t get paid. Flights were canceled. People worried about losing food benefits. All for literally nothing.”

Vance added that the far-left wing of the Democratic Party was willing to “burn down the entire country” to harm former President Donald Trump politically.

“They don’t care if the troops don’t get paid,” he said. “They don’t care about billions of dollars in lost productivity. They don’t care if they have to burn the entire country down to get Trump.”

JD Vance claims Democrats rejected the same deal 45 days earlier

According to Vance, the agreement approved this week to maintain fiscal year 2025 funding levels until January 30, 2026, mirrored the proposal Democrats rejected at the start of the shutdown.

“We could have passed this exact deal 45 days ago,” Vance said. “In fact, we met with Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer and said we would pass this exact deal. They said no.”

Vance praised Senate moderates who resisted pressure from their party’s ideological base. “Privately, Democrats recognized that the far-left position was extreme,” he said. “But they felt held hostage by their far-left wing.”

JD Vance credits Donald Trump’s leadership during the standoff

The vice presidential nominee also lauded Trump for predicting the shutdown would end with Democrats folding.

“The president said every day that Democrats would realize their position was absurd, and we’d reopen the government. That’s what happened,” Vance said. 

Trump signed the bill to reopen the government Wednesday night, ending missed paychecks, flight disruptions, and potential SNAP interruptions, supporting over 42 million Americans.

Vance says shutdown ‘ended’ Chuck Schumer’s political career

Vance argued the ordeal politically weakened Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling it “a huge political mistake” for Democrats.

“What an incredible juxtaposition of priorities,” he said. “We care about Americans. They care about illegal aliens. The shutdown fight made it clear.”