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| US government shutdown: anniversary of Trump inauguration marred by chaos | US government shutdown: anniversary of Trump inauguration marred by chaos |
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| A year to the day after Trump took office, government goes into shutdown as nationwide protests take aim at his divisive presidency | A year to the day after Trump took office, government goes into shutdown as nationwide protests take aim at his divisive presidency |
| Live updates: Women’s marches and government shutdown | Live updates: Women’s marches and government shutdown |
| Julian Borger , | |
| Ben Jacobs, | |
| Sabrina Siddiqui and | |
| Lauren Gambino in Washington | |
| Sat 20 Jan 2018 18.44 GMT | |
| First published on Sat 20 Jan 2018 17.38 GMT | First published on Sat 20 Jan 2018 17.38 GMT |
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| Donald Trump’s first anniversary in office was marked by the turbulence and division that have defined his presidency, with a government shutdown and protests in cities across the country. | Donald Trump’s first anniversary in office was marked by the turbulence and division that have defined his presidency, with a government shutdown and protests in cities across the country. |
| Up to 800,000 federal workers were told to stay home after the White House and Congress failed to strike a compromise on a government spending bill. Workers deemed essential and armed forces personnel were asked to stay at work. If the shutdown continues, they will likely work unpaid. | |
| With crisis talks under way, Trump cancelled a trip to his Florida retreat at Mar-a-Lago, where he had hoped to celebrate his year in office at a gala dinner. | With crisis talks under way, Trump cancelled a trip to his Florida retreat at Mar-a-Lago, where he had hoped to celebrate his year in office at a gala dinner. |
| Instead, as protesters marked their own anniversary of major anti-Trump demonstrations outside the White House and in other major cities, the president stayed in Washington, firing off angry tweets. | Instead, as protesters marked their own anniversary of major anti-Trump demonstrations outside the White House and in other major cities, the president stayed in Washington, firing off angry tweets. |
| When the US Congress fails to pass appropriate funding for government operations and agencies, a shutdown is triggered. Most government services are frozen, barring those that are deemed “essential”, such as the work of the Department of Homeland Security and FBI. During a shutdown, nearly 40% of the government workforce is placed on unpaid furlough and told not to work. Many, but not all, are non-defense federal employees. Active duty military personnel are not furloughed. | When the US Congress fails to pass appropriate funding for government operations and agencies, a shutdown is triggered. Most government services are frozen, barring those that are deemed “essential”, such as the work of the Department of Homeland Security and FBI. During a shutdown, nearly 40% of the government workforce is placed on unpaid furlough and told not to work. Many, but not all, are non-defense federal employees. Active duty military personnel are not furloughed. |
| Members of Congress are at an impasse over what should be included in a spending bill to keep the government open. Democrats have insisted any compromise must also include protections for the nearly 700,000 young, undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers, who were brought to the US as children. | Members of Congress are at an impasse over what should be included in a spending bill to keep the government open. Democrats have insisted any compromise must also include protections for the nearly 700,000 young, undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers, who were brought to the US as children. |
| The Dreamers, who were granted temporary legal status under Barack Obama, were newly exposed to the threat of deportation when Donald Trump moved to rescind their protections in September. | The Dreamers, who were granted temporary legal status under Barack Obama, were newly exposed to the threat of deportation when Donald Trump moved to rescind their protections in September. |
| Trump and Republicans have argued immigration is a separate issue and can be dealt with at a later time. | Trump and Republicans have argued immigration is a separate issue and can be dealt with at a later time. |
| There have been 12 government shutdowns in the US since 1981, although ranging in duration. The longest occurred under Bill Clinton, lasting a total of 21 days from December 1995 to January 1996, when the then House speaker, Newt Gingrich, demanded sharp cuts to government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and welfare. | There have been 12 government shutdowns in the US since 1981, although ranging in duration. The longest occurred under Bill Clinton, lasting a total of 21 days from December 1995 to January 1996, when the then House speaker, Newt Gingrich, demanded sharp cuts to government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and welfare. |
| The most recent shutdown transpired under Obama in 2013, pitting the president against the Republican-led House of Representatives. Republicans refused to support a spending bill that included funding for Obama’s healthcare law, resulting in a 16-day shutdown that at its peak affected 850,000 federal employees. | The most recent shutdown transpired under Obama in 2013, pitting the president against the Republican-led House of Representatives. Republicans refused to support a spending bill that included funding for Obama’s healthcare law, resulting in a 16-day shutdown that at its peak affected 850,000 federal employees. |
| A government shutdown would cost the US roughly $6.5bn a week, according to a report by S&P Global analysts. “A disruption in government spending means no government paychecks to spend; lost business and revenue to private contractors; lost sales at retail shops, particularly those that circle now-closed national parks; and less tax revenue for Uncle Sam,” the report stated. “That means less economic activity and fewer jobs.” | A government shutdown would cost the US roughly $6.5bn a week, according to a report by S&P Global analysts. “A disruption in government spending means no government paychecks to spend; lost business and revenue to private contractors; lost sales at retail shops, particularly those that circle now-closed national parks; and less tax revenue for Uncle Sam,” the report stated. “That means less economic activity and fewer jobs.” |
| Nearly 1 million people would not receive regular paychecks in the event of a shutdown. In previous shutdowns, furloughed employees have been paid retrospectively – but those payments have often been delayed. | Nearly 1 million people would not receive regular paychecks in the event of a shutdown. In previous shutdowns, furloughed employees have been paid retrospectively – but those payments have often been delayed. |
| Sabrina Siddiqui | Sabrina Siddiqui |
| Trump sought to blame Democrats for the shutdown, claiming they were putting immigrants before other Americans. | |
| Democrats blamed Trump, for walking away from a compromise over the future of young undocumented migrants known as Dreamers and for general recklessness over immigration. They pointed out that the shutdown, the first since October 2013, was the first when one party controlled all three branches of government. | Democrats blamed Trump, for walking away from a compromise over the future of young undocumented migrants known as Dreamers and for general recklessness over immigration. They pointed out that the shutdown, the first since October 2013, was the first when one party controlled all three branches of government. |
| At a press conference, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi alluded to a tweet Trump wrote in May 2017, saying a shutdown would be good for the country. | At a press conference, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi alluded to a tweet Trump wrote in May 2017, saying a shutdown would be good for the country. |
| “Happy anniversary Mr President, your wish came true,” Pelosi said. “You won the shutdown. The shutdown is all yours.” | “Happy anniversary Mr President, your wish came true,” Pelosi said. “You won the shutdown. The shutdown is all yours.” |
| Addressing the House, Republican speaker Paul Ryan quoted Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on the 2013 shutdown, which was driven by Republicans opposed to healthcare reform: “No matter how strongly one feels about the issue, you shouldn’t hold millions of people hostage.” | Addressing the House, Republican speaker Paul Ryan quoted Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on the 2013 shutdown, which was driven by Republicans opposed to healthcare reform: “No matter how strongly one feels about the issue, you shouldn’t hold millions of people hostage.” |
| Ryan added: “We do so many crazy things in Washington but this is utter madness. | Ryan added: “We do so many crazy things in Washington but this is utter madness. |
| “Here is the simple truth: Senate Democrats refuse to fund the government unless we agree to their demands on something entirely unrelated. They want a deal on immigration. And then they’ll think about reopening the government.” | “Here is the simple truth: Senate Democrats refuse to fund the government unless we agree to their demands on something entirely unrelated. They want a deal on immigration. And then they’ll think about reopening the government.” |
| Happy anniversary Mr President, your wish came true. You won the shutdown. The shutdown is all yours | Happy anniversary Mr President, your wish came true. You won the shutdown. The shutdown is all yours |
| Saturday’s talks were focused on passing a stopgap spending measure to allow more time to resolve the main obstacle to a deal. Republicans were proposing a funding extension until 8 February and an undertaking that talks on immigration would be priority. | |
| Democrats have refused to support any spending bill that does not restore protections for Dreamers. Obama-era legislation known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca), which allowed approximately 800,000 Dreamers to stay in the country, was rescinded by Trump in September. | Democrats have refused to support any spending bill that does not restore protections for Dreamers. Obama-era legislation known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca), which allowed approximately 800,000 Dreamers to stay in the country, was rescinded by Trump in September. |
| White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was being updated and had been in touch with Republican leaders. | White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was being updated and had been in touch with Republican leaders. |
| “The president will not negotiate on immigration reform until Democrats stop playing games and reopen the government,” Sanders said. | “The president will not negotiate on immigration reform until Democrats stop playing games and reopen the government,” Sanders said. |
| Dreamers are young immigrants who would qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (Daca) program, enacted under Barack Obama in 2012. Most people in the program entered the US as children and have lived in the US for years “undocumented”. Daca gave them temporary protection from deportation and work permits. Daca was only available to people younger than 31 on 15 June 2012, who arrived in the US before turning 16 and lived there continuously since June 2007. Most Dreamers are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and the largest numbers live in California, Texas, Florida and New York. Donald Trump cancelled the program in September but has also said repeatedly he wants Congress to develop a program to “help” the population. | Dreamers are young immigrants who would qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (Daca) program, enacted under Barack Obama in 2012. Most people in the program entered the US as children and have lived in the US for years “undocumented”. Daca gave them temporary protection from deportation and work permits. Daca was only available to people younger than 31 on 15 June 2012, who arrived in the US before turning 16 and lived there continuously since June 2007. Most Dreamers are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and the largest numbers live in California, Texas, Florida and New York. Donald Trump cancelled the program in September but has also said repeatedly he wants Congress to develop a program to “help” the population. |
| Under the Trump administration, new applications under Daca will no longer be accepted. For those currently in the program, their legal status and other Daca-related permits (such as to work and attend college) will begin expiring in March 2018 – unless Congress passes legislation allowing a new channel for temporary or permanent legal immigration status – and Dreamers will all lose their status by March 2020. | Under the Trump administration, new applications under Daca will no longer be accepted. For those currently in the program, their legal status and other Daca-related permits (such as to work and attend college) will begin expiring in March 2018 – unless Congress passes legislation allowing a new channel for temporary or permanent legal immigration status – and Dreamers will all lose their status by March 2020. |
| Technically, as their statuses lapse they could be deported and sent back to countries many have no familiarity with. It is still unclear whether this would happen. Fear had been rising in the run-up to last week’s announcement. Those with work permits expiring between 5 September 2017 and 5 March 2018 will be allowed to apply for renewal by 5 October. | Technically, as their statuses lapse they could be deported and sent back to countries many have no familiarity with. It is still unclear whether this would happen. Fear had been rising in the run-up to last week’s announcement. Those with work permits expiring between 5 September 2017 and 5 March 2018 will be allowed to apply for renewal by 5 October. |
| In his ruling, Alsup ordered the Trump administration to restart the program, allowing Daca recipients who already qualify for the program to submit applications for renewal. | In his ruling, Alsup ordered the Trump administration to restart the program, allowing Daca recipients who already qualify for the program to submit applications for renewal. |
| However, he said the federal government did not have to process new applications from people who had not previously received protection under the program. | However, he said the federal government did not have to process new applications from people who had not previously received protection under the program. |
| When the Trump administration ended the Daca program, it allowed Daca recipients whose legal status expired on or before 5 March to renew their legal status. Roughly 22,000 recipients failed to successfully renew their legal status for various reasons. | When the Trump administration ended the Daca program, it allowed Daca recipients whose legal status expired on or before 5 March to renew their legal status. Roughly 22,000 recipients failed to successfully renew their legal status for various reasons. |
| Legal experts and immigration advocates are advising Daca recipients not to file for renewal until the administration provides more information about how it intends to comply with the ruling. | Legal experts and immigration advocates are advising Daca recipients not to file for renewal until the administration provides more information about how it intends to comply with the ruling. |
| “These next days and weeks are going to create a lot of confusion on the legal front,” said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, which has filed a separate lawsuit against the Trump administration’s termination of Daca. | “These next days and weeks are going to create a lot of confusion on the legal front,” said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, which has filed a separate lawsuit against the Trump administration’s termination of Daca. |
| Trump and Schumer came close to a compromise over a cheeseburger lunch on Friday. The president reportedly agreed to more time for a deal on Dreamers in return for more defence spending, funding for a border wall and tougher enforcement of immigration law. | |
| But the deal began to fray over the duration of the stopgap and the toughness of immigration provisions. John Kelly, the White House chief of staff and an immigration hardliner, called Schumer to kill the deal. | |
| On the Senate floor on Saturday, Schumer said: “Negotiating with President Trump is like negotiating with Jello.” | On the Senate floor on Saturday, Schumer said: “Negotiating with President Trump is like negotiating with Jello.” |
| In a Saturday press conference, he elaborated: “It’s next to impossible to reach a deal with the president because he can’t stick to the terms.” | |
| Asked if the president was actually making the final decisions in the White House, Schumer said: “You have to ask people who know the White House better than me.” | |
| Schumer’s No 2 in the Senate, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said a bipartisan group of senators had been on the cusp of an agreement late on Friday, only for Ryan to inform his counterparts in the Senate that House Republicans would not agree to it. | |
| AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said in an email the speaker and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell had always been united.“The speaker and leader have been in communication and full agreementthroughout,” she wrote. | |
| In the Senate on Friday night, the Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey said Republicans had ceded their negotiating position to a bloc of hardline House conservatives. | |
| “I was not elected to genuflect to the Freedom Caucus,” Casey said, before walking on to the floor to vote down the funding measure that passed the House on Thursday. | |
| By Saturday morning, it appeared the White House had calculated that by making Daca non-negotiable, the Democrats had made themselves vulnerable to blame. | |
| “Democrats are far more concerned with illegal immigrants than they are with our great military or safety at our dangerous southern border,” one presidential tweet said. “They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead.” | “Democrats are far more concerned with illegal immigrants than they are with our great military or safety at our dangerous southern border,” one presidential tweet said. “They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead.” |
| A CNN poll found that 31% of those questioned blamed Democrats for the shutdown, 26% blamed Republicans and 21% held Trump responsible. Although a plurality blamed Republicans as a whole, and there is broad support for protecting Dreamers, a majority thought it was more important to avoid a shutdown than maintain Daca. | |
| In a statement, the Republican senator John McCain said: “Political gamesmanship, an unwillingness to compromise and a lack of resolve on both sides have led us to this point.” | |
| Leaders of the Women’s March, meanwhile, said they planned to channel outrage into backing for female and progressive candidates in November’s midterm elections. | Leaders of the Women’s March, meanwhile, said they planned to channel outrage into backing for female and progressive candidates in November’s midterm elections. |
| “One year ago we had millions of people marching in the streets,” Linda Sarsour, a co-chair, told the Guardian. “The idea is that we march the same people and their families and their friends to the polls in 2018.” | |
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