U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) expressed concern that President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt federally approved spending could put the nation “on the cusp of a constitutional crisis.” He stated that Congressional Democrats might consider shutting down the federal government “if we have to” in order to prevent Trump from dismantling it.
During a recent appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Kim emphasized that withholding Democratic votes next month for necessary funding to keep the government operational could be an effective way “to hold them accountable and use the leverage that we have.”
The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders aimed at eliminating certain government programs and has authorized efforts to terminate thousands of civil servants through a newly established Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual.
Federal courts have issued temporary restraining orders to pause this reorganization effort in response to lawsuits, including several filed by Democratic attorneys general.
“I cannot support efforts that perpetuate this lawlessness we’re witnessing,” Kim, who is serving his first term in the Senate, stated.
With Republicans holding the majority in both the U.S. House and Senate, they must pass a continuing budget resolution by March 14 to maintain funding for the federal government. The GOP majority in the House is slim, and Republican Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana has relied on Democratic votes several times in recent months to prevent shutdowns. A significant faction of conservative lawmakers within Johnson’s caucus opposes ongoing spending.
Musk’s team has gained access to the Treasury Department’s computer system used for processing federal payments. This system contains sensitive information about millions of Americans, including Social Security numbers and bank account details.
Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, did not dismiss the possibility of using a government shutdown to push for changes.
Trump’s actions are enabling “corruption, abuse, and violations of people’s privacy and other fundamental values,” Booker remarked. “We are in a crisis right now, and Democrats will employ every tool at their disposal to protect Americans.”
In addition to the access to personal data, Musk’s company SpaceX holds government contracts worth billions and has access to sensitive national security information. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from Musk’s new role.
Furthermore, a Trump executive order combined with Musk’s actions has effectively put the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), responsible for distributing foreign aid including food and medicine worldwide, on the verge of closure.
Kim, who previously worked for USAID and other agencies before being elected to the House in 2018, stated that this represents a surrender of American influence and compromises national security. “China no longer needs to fight for their global influence because we are doing their work for them,” he said. “I hope the American people grasp the severity of the situation.”
