Donald Trump Raises Government Shutdown Alarm, Says ‘Could Happen’ But Eyes Solution

President Donald Trump raised alarms Sunday about a possible government shutdown if Congress misses the March 14 funding deadline. He endorsed a temporary bill to extend operations, pushing Republicans to act fast in a House where their slim majority faces internal challenges.

While President Trump is hopeful that the House of Representatives will pass a temporary funding package, he did say on Sunday that the government shutdown “may happen” if they fail to do so.

“It could happen. It shouldn’t have happened, and it probably won’t. I think the CR is going to get passed. We’ll see,” Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the possibility of a government shutdown this week on March 14, the day funding runs out.

His point was that until September 30th, fiscal year 2025 would be funded at its present level. The statute in question is known as a continuing resolution (CR), Reuters reports.

On Saturday, the House Republicans introduced a short-term spending bill that would cover the next six months; on Tuesday, the measure is scheduled to be voted on.

On Saturday, Trump reiterated his support for the continuing resolution and called on his Republican colleagues to do the same.

Trump wrote on social media on Saturday, “All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week.”

“Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order.”

A key obstacle in the chamber where House Speaker Mike Johnson commands a tiny Republican 218-214 majority has been overcome thanks to his support for the financing plan, which has rallied several conservative Republicans who have previously opposed comparable interim funding bills.