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President Trump’s involvement has notably shifted the dynamics. With the legislative process stalled, the authority to approve government spending shifts to the Office of Management and Budget, which aligns with presidential priorities. Trump’s strategy has involved cutting programs he associates with the progressive left, thus expanding executive power and sidestepping Congress's role.
Meanwhile, Democrats aim to leverage the shutdown to secure political wins—particularly in healthcare. They seek to portray themselves as champions of affordability and access, hoping to capitalize on public dissatisfaction. However, recent polling shows both major parties are suffering approval losses, with 89% of Americans perceiving the shutdown as a serious problem.