Hours after the government shutdown began, the Trump administration hit back at top Democrats in a pointed way. White House budget director Russell Vought said the Transportation Department would freeze $18 billion meant to improve New York City's trains and subways, ostensibly because it doesn't have the staff to look over the contracts because of the shutdown. But let's be real. This is payback. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries represents Brooklyn, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer represents New York state.
The Trump administration's dramatic overhaul of the way the federal government works, with the implicit blessing of the Supreme Court and Republicans in Congress, can only mean more dysfunction in the future. The shutdown is only the beginning.
This is a preview of Ryan Teague Beckwith's latest column. Read the full column here.
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