November 11, 2025 10:00 am

The Shutdown Was Pointless and Dumb

The real reason for the shutdown? It was a way for progressives to give vent to an unreasoning hatred of Donald Trump.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) gestures towards a poster of President Donald Trump during a press conference to discuss SNAP benefits, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., October 29, 2025.

Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Our long national nightmare is over, but the Democratic psychodrama isn’t.

The longest shutdown in U.S. history — with increasing pain points across the country, especially among travelers — is ending, while the Democratic recriminations are just getting started.

About the Author

Rich Lowry

Rich Lowry is the editor in chief of National Review.

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Our long national nightmare is over, but the Democratic psychodrama isn’t.

The longest shutdown in U.S. history — with increasing pain points across the country, especially among travelers — is ending, while the Democratic recriminations are just getting started.