Epic Showdown: Trump and Biden's Swing-State Faceoff Shakes Washington in GOP Shutdown Politics

President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are on the verge of a potential rematch as far-right House Republicans push the country towards a government shutdown. This crucial week will witness a flurry of activity from Washington to swing-state Michigan, reminiscent of the political turbulence experienced during Trump's presidency. It will also serve as a test of Biden's ability to leverage the chaos to strengthen his reelection campaign.

The House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing challenges in controlling a faction within his majority, putting the government at risk of running out of money by midnight on Saturday. This rebellious group is withholding funding in order to push for significant spending cuts, despite lacking the power to compel the Democratic-run Senate and White House to agree.

A general view of the U.S. Capitol Building, in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/AP

The potential impact of a government shutdown on American citizens is a concern. Trump's motivations for encouraging his supporters to shut down Washington appear to be driven by a desire to create chaos during Biden's presidency and further his own political ambitions as a leading contender for the Republican Party's nomination in 2024.

In Michigan, hundreds of miles away, Biden and Trump will intensify their campaign for the upcoming general election amidst a strike that has brought the American auto industry to a standstill. This strike has highlighted a division between Biden's long-standing support for union workers' pay increases and his plans for an electric vehicle revolution that could revolutionize the industry. Trump, who opposes measures to combat climate change and promote a low carbon economy, initiated this conflict by scheduling a visit with the striking workers on Wednesday, coinciding with a debate among other GOP hopefuls. In a radio advertisement, Biden's team claims that he has always supported auto workers, while the United Auto Workers union warns that a second Trump term would have dire consequences for organized labor.

Initially, the Biden campaign criticized Trump's visit as a mere photo opportunity serving his own interests. However, Biden later announced that he would travel to Michigan one day ahead of Trump to walk alongside the picket line, making history in the process. This move demonstrates the political agility of the Biden campaign, following days of negative media coverage regarding the president's age. Recent polls on Sunday indicate a close neck-and-neck race between Biden and Trump in November 2024, with voter dissatisfaction regarding the president's handling of the economy. Michigan, a crucial state in the general election that Trump won in 2016 but Biden reclaimed in 2020, will once again play a pivotal role.

The drama in Michigan will overshadow the second Republican debate as Trump's strong lead in the polls and decision not to attend has shifted the focus to a competition for second place. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley aims to capitalize on her momentum from the previous debate in Wisconsin, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces pressure to revive his struggling campaign. The debate will take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, an odd choice considering that much of the GOP has moved away from the ideals of the president who defeated Soviet totalitarianism in the Cold War and has now embraced Trump's authoritarian tendencies.

These tendencies are evident within the House GOP, where they are planning to hold the first hearing for the impeachment inquiry into Biden on Thursday, while also threatening a government shutdown at the end of the week. This contradiction may reinforce the perception that the GOP is using impeachment to undermine the president before the election and to downplay the historic impact of Trump's two impeachments and four criminal indictments, despite the lack of evidence from the GOP regarding Biden's involvement in bribery, treason, or other high crimes. Nevertheless, this process may increase public skepticism regarding Hunter Biden's alleged influence peddling, which has created the perception of a conflict of interest, even though the GOP has yet to prove that the president personally benefited from these transactions.

Concerns over ethics continue to haunt Democrats as New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, who holds the position of Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, faces a significant corruption indictment. This latest development has provided the GOP with further fuel to support their claims that the scope of alleged illegal activities extends beyond just Trump.

No visible escape routes as government hurtles toward shutdown

The House showdown reveals that the ongoing Republican internal conflict poses a risk to the governability of the country. Some pro-Trump Republicans view this outcome as desirable, as they oppose the power of the administrative state and wish to create dysfunction and economic turmoil to undermine President Biden's term and potentially pave the way for Trump's return to power.

Despite the urgent need for Congress to pass legislation to fund the government, Majority Leader McCarthy decided to dismiss his members until Tuesday, exposing the vulnerabilities of his leadership like never before. McCarthy has been attempting to pass a temporary funding bill called a continuing resolution to keep the government operational while allowing for a more permanent funding solution. However, hardliners within his party, including those opposed to increasing the government's debt limit, are refusing to cooperate. In addition, some members want to cease US support for Ukraine's fight against Russia. McCarthy not only failed to pass the temporary funding bill but also encountered two unsuccessful attempts to pass a defense spending bill last week, typically an uncomplicated task.

One possible solution to the crisis is for moderate Republicans and Democrats to form a coalition and pass a temporary spending bill. However, hardline Republicans are threatening to vote out McCarthy if he allows this to happen. McCarthy is attempting various approaches to address the breakdown, including attempting to pass multiple critical spending bills. However, even if he is successful, it would not prevent a shutdown. Additionally, any short-term solution passed by the GOP's slim majority would likely be rejected by the Senate and the White House.

Even McCarthy warned extremists want to burn the place down

The conference leader, who has admirably maintained unity throughout multiple crises earlier this year, is visibly growing more overwhelmed. He fervently criticized the extreme right-wing faction within his political party, accusing them of wanting to ignite chaos. Dismayed members of the GOP conference, predominantly from staunchly conservative areas where primary elections hold the utmost significance, are pushing for extensive budget cuts to render the government powerless. Undoubtedly, their actions are driven by the desires of their electorates. Nonetheless, as the Democrats currently control both the Senate and the White House, the GOP has failed to construct a viable coalition in Congress, let alone within their own party, to support such drastic measures.

However, the small majority of voters who supported McCarthy in the most recent midterm elections - he can only afford to lose four votes and still pass a bill along party lines - give small groups of members significant influence. The rebels, by disregarding the core principles of majority rule and compromise in US politics, embody the GOP during the era of Trump. Trump, who defied the will of the voters by attempting to retain power after losing the 2020 election, has even promised "retribution" if he regains the presidency.

Amid mounting concerns about a potential government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared on various Sunday political talk shows to exert pressure on Republicans. "The American people do not want a shutdown. Based on the information I have, the Senate is prepared to act. The administration is ready. It is vital that House Republicans come to their senses and maintain the functioning of the government," Buttigieg stated on "State of the Union."

The White House plans to highlight the impact of a potential shutdown on Americans by focusing on different programs each day, according to a White House official.

Despite warnings from McCarthy about the negative consequences for Republicans, Trump, who faces four criminal trials and has significant influence over McCarthy and his conference, supports a shutdown. Trump expressed this on his Truth Social network, stating that the shutdown represents the "final opportunity to defund political prosecutions against myself and other Patriots. They were unsuccessful with the debt limit, but they must not fail this time. Utilize the power of financial resources and defend the Country!"

Despite the potential for Trump to be a convicted felon before Election Day, his opponents for the GOP nomination have been unsuccessful in diminishing his support among base voters. These voters firmly believe that his legal issues are a result of political persecution. Additionally, House Republicans also follow his lead. However, the Wednesday debate presents a new opportunity for other candidates to establish themselves as the prominent alternative to the former president.