Trump accused of deploying 'blackmail': 'That's what's happening right now

Source: Raw Story

October 2, 2025 3:36PM ET


Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) attacked President Donald Trump for punishing the American people in the government shutdown.

"If the President is going to fire thousands of federal employees, that's on him. He can't blame that on anybody else," Beshear said during a "Team Kentucky" update. "Why? Because in other shutdowns it hasn't happened. Our families are not a prop, they are not to be used as negotiating tactics or for leverage. And so I hope that everybody knows that this President doesn't have to fire any federal employees, and if he does, it's because he wants to."

The shutdown began at midnight Wednesday despite Republicans holding control of the House, Senate and White House. They are demanding that Democrats help them raise the debt ceiling, but Democrats want a concession in return: agreeing to fund Affordable Care Act subsidies.

"WIC and SNAP benefits will continue, certainly at this time," Beshear continued. "Our current President seems to think he can just cancel any program anywhere that he would like, depending on the leadership in that state. That's not legal, that will be challenged in court, but you can't negotiate through blackmail, and that's what's happening right now."

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-shutdown-2674149041/