Trump labels Democrats’ shutdown tactics a ‘kamikaze attack’, says ‘they have nothing to lose’
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump CALLS IT LIKE IT IS - says Democrats are now kamikazeing the United States because they have "NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE"
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 7, 2025
"It's almost like a kamikaze attack by them. You want to know the truth? This is like a kamikaze attack. They have nothing to lose.… pic.twitter.com/MhzCM1zqSJ
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump accused Democrats of “reckless sabotage” over the ongoing government shutdown on on Tuesday, October 7. He compared their approach to a “kamikaze attack” by Japanese pilots during World War II.
“They’re the ones that started it,” Trump said while speaking at a White House press briefing, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. “They’re the ones that have it, and it’s almost like a kamikaze attack by them. You want to know the truth, this is like a kamikaze attack,” he stated.
Trump claimed that Democrats have “nothing to lose” after their massive electoral losses, suggesting that they were prolonging the shutdown out of spite. “They’ve lost the elections. They’ve lost the presidential election in a landslide,” he said.
Trump warns of 'substantial' job losses if shutdown continues
When asked how many federal jobs might be permanently eliminated if the shutdown continues, Trump said, “I’ll be able to tell you that in four or five days, if this keeps going on. If this keeps going on, it’ll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back.”
The president was also questioned about a draft White House memo suggesting that some federal employees may not receive back pay once the shutdown ends.
REPORTER: The law says that when the government reopens, that workers will receive their back pay. So are you going to defy the law there?
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) October 7, 2025
TRUMP: I follow the law, and I — what the law says is correct, and I follow the law. pic.twitter.com/muBTroSVaZ
“You’re gonna have to figure that out, ok? Ask the Democrats that question,” Trump said when pressed on the issue.
A reporter noted that federal law requires back pay once the government reopens. “I follow the law, and what the law says is correct,” Trump replied.
Chuck Schumer urges Trump to intervene in talks
On the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Trump to personally intervene in negotiations, arguing that House Speaker Mike Johnson had become “a massive roadblock.”
“Ending this shutdown will require Donald Trump to step in and push Speaker Johnson to negotiate,” Schumer said. “Without the president’s involvement, Speaker Johnson and MAGA Republicans in the House are increasingly dug in.”
Schumer also dismissed Trump’s recent claim that he was in talks with Democrats over health care reforms.
“Only one problem, that’s not true,” Schumer said. “He certainly hasn’t called my office or Leader Jeffries. Still, Jeffries and I happily welcome a chance to talk with the president and with Republicans to sit down and seriously negotiate.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated he was open to advancing legislation that would ensure military personnel continue receiving pay during the government shutdown.
“We want to make sure our troops are paid,” Johnson said. “We’re working to get everyone back together and move this forward quickly. But the first priority is to get the government running again so Congress can handle all of this important business," he added.
