Paul Krugman: How Stone-Faced Generals, Wall Street Pushback, and Government Shutdown May Save America's Quickly Declining Democracy

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Paul Krugman says, "If America still had a fully functioning democracy, Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday (9/30/25) to the assembled generals would have ended his presidency. Trump treated the event like a political rally and was clearly taken aback by the refusal of the audience to applaud or laugh at his jokes. Delivering a nakedly partisan speech to a mandated assembly of military officers was a gross violation of the Hatch Act. The content – telling the officers to be ready to use force against U.S. citizens – was clearly an impeachable offense. In an earlier era, Trump’s incoherent ranting would have paved the way for his immediate removal from office under the 25th Amendment."

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Keeping the U.S. Government Open

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he will vote to keep the government open, signaling a path for Democrats to vote with Republicans to overcome a filibuster in the Senate and pass a six-month spending bill ahead of a Friday deadline.

"As bad as passing the CR is, allowing Donald Trump to take even more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option," Schumer said.

"You have to make these decisions based on what is best for not only your party but your country," Schumer told reporters.