Democrats threaten shutdown over Trump’s spending watchdog agency

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Congressional Democrats are threatening to block government funding legislation next month, expressing outrage over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) audit of federal spending practices.

This stance places Democrats in an awkward position of appearing to defend government waste, fraud, and abuse – the very issues DOGE was established to address.

“I cannot support efforts that will continue this lawlessness that we’re seeing when it comes to this administration’s actions,” Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “And for us to be able to support government funding in that way only for them to turn it around, to dismantle the government. That is not something that should be allowed.”

Trump for months on the campaign trail: If you vote for me I’m gonna create DOGE and have Elon run it

US: *votes for him*

TRUMP: *does exactly what he promised*

DEMOCRATS: “Nobody voted for Elon and DOGE!! 😭😡” pic.twitter.com/QAtYfCvtks

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 11, 2025

The Democrats’ frustration stems from DOGE’s newfound access to Treasury Department payment systems for monitoring taxpayer fund disbursements. They’ve also expressed strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s initiatives to reduce funding for various agencies, including USAID, resulting in staff reductions.

“I’ve worked in government. I’ve worked through multiple government shutdowns. I would be the last person who would want to get to that stage, but we are at a point where we are basically on the cusp of a constitutional crisis,” Kim said.

“In a few weeks, the Republicans are going to try to figure out how they move forward and they have, for the last two years, needed Democratic votes for every single continuing resolution and they should not count on that this time,” Kim added.

HAPPENING NOW: Democrats are marching in DC to protest DOGE's actions.

They have lost all support. Is this everyone, or am I missing something? pic.twitter.com/vRITu5WgzY

— George (@BehizyTweets) February 11, 2025

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently indicated his intention to use the March 14 federal funding deadline as leverage against Trump’s fund freezes and diversions. However, Democrats lack the political authority to force a government shutdown.

The Republican Party maintains control of both congressional chambers and the executive branch, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-ND) working to gather Republican support for spending legislation that aligns with Trump’s objectives.