Staff Reports
In the latest circus of Capitol Hill antics, the Biden administration’s government shutdown saga takes center stage. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently announced that President Donald Trump expects each and every House Republican to get on board with his proposed Continuing Resolution (CR). This resolution is intended to prevent a government shutdown—a fate that, while not actually painful in any meaningful way for Congress, is treated like the end of the world by politicians and talking heads alike.
In what feels like a political showdown worthy of a blockbuster movie, Trump has set his sights on Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky. Massie has committed the cardinal sin of refusing to support the CR, earning him Trump’s ire and a call for primary challengers to rise up. Apparently, being principled is a luxury some lawmakers can’t afford in our current political climate. As the House prepares for a vote on the CR, it seems Massie’s firm stance is more than just a roadblock—it’s a bullseye on his back.
Leavitt, ever the spokesperson of the moment, explained that Trump has been personally connecting with lawmakers, likely dialing their numbers with the ferocity of a man who knows he’s the king of the political jungle. Massie’s refusal to support the CR has given Trump an opening to unleash a stream of criticism that can only be compared to a good ol’ fashioned Twitter rant—now thankfully on Truth Social.
White House: Trump 'Fully Expects All House Republicans to' Back Spending Bill https://t.co/HGkxwYSsuQ
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) March 11, 2025
Trump’s comments about Massie have been nothing short of thunderous. He called the Congressman a constant “NO” vote, a bit like those people at salad bars who refuse lettuce. The former president characterized Massie as nothing more than a grandstanding nuisance, claiming he’s “too much trouble” and definitely not worth keeping around. After all, if you’re not willing to shove through a CR that guarantees at least some form of government continuation, who do you think you are?
In a stroke of irony, Massie responded to Trump’s onslaught by asking the rhetorical question of why more legislators apparently don’t take a stand for principled beliefs. He seems confused about why truth-telling could potentially be a career hazard in Congress. In his Twitter responses, he layered on the sarcasm like frosting on an unfortunate cake. Massie’s retort that Trump’s criticism is “very misleading” has become a headline-worthy witticism but offers little reassurance that he’ll sway any hearts and minds among the Republican base.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of this unfolding drama is that the GOP stands at a crossroads, torn between loyalty to Trump and the few stragglers who dare to maintain integrity. The upcoming primary for Massie is sure to be a fiery one—Kentucky voters will undoubtedly be watching closely as sides are drawn. For the time being, the American people can enjoy this high-stakes political theater while federal workers grab their popcorn, praying that no one will actually have to endure the dreadful reality of a government shutdown.
