Trump Says He’ll Meet Schumer and Jeffries Only After Government Reopens

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would be open to meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — but only after Democrats agree to reopen the government. Speaking during a Diwali celebration at the White House, Trump addressed the ongoing government shutdown, which had entered its 21st day. “I would like to meet with both of them, but I set one little caveat,” he told reporters. “They have to let the country open. The people want to go back to work. They want to be served. They need the money, the payroll, so I’ll do it as soon as they open up the country.”

The standoff centers on a continuing resolution to fund the government while negotiations continue over long-term spending. Democrats have pushed to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies first introduced during the pandemic, arguing that millions could face higher health insurance premiums without them. Republicans, meanwhile, have refused to negotiate while the shutdown continues. On Tuesday, Trump met with Senate Republicans for a White House luncheon, praising Budget Director Russell Vought — whom he compared to “Darth Vader” — for cutting Democratic priorities from the budget. Senate Majority Leader John Thune later said bipartisan talks could resume “as soon as we reopen the government.”

Some Democrats have expressed frustration with their party’s hardline approach, fearing backlash from progressive activists if they support a Republican-backed funding measure. Grassroots groups have organized nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations urging Democrats to resist Trump’s policies. With both parties entrenched, there has been little progress toward ending the shutdown. “He claims he knows the art of the deal,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). “He doesn’t know anything about that, obviously, from his behavior.”