Senate Democrats insist the shutdown was 'definitely' worth it despite fully surrendering to Republicans



Democratic senators finally capitulated to Republicans after the drawn-out, record-breaking government shutdown. Although Democrats didn't actually accomplish anything, they maintain the shutdown was worth it.

Democrats originally shut down the government to force Republicans' hand on extending health care subsidies from the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. Over 40 days later, eight Democrats caved and voted with Republicans to reopen the government without securing a deal on health care.

'We got people to pay attention.'

Republicans' only concession to Democrats was to reverse reduction-in-force notices issued during the shutdown and a commitment to refrain from implementing any more through January 30, when the continuing resolution expires.

After eight Democrats flipped and voted with Republicans to pass the continuing resolution, many of their colleagues expressed outrage and disappointment. Even still, some Senate Democrats maintain that the record-breaking shutdown was worth it.

RELATED: 'Pathetic' Senate Democrats cave, advancing key shutdown vote and prompting intraparty uproar: 'It’s a surrender'

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado told CNN that demonstrating the overwhelming reliance millions of Americans have on the federal government made the shutdown worth it.

"Yeah, I think so," Hickenlooper said. "I hate it, but yeah, it was worth it. Definitely."

"We got people to pay attention to the fact that this is a traumatic, in many cases, life-or-death situation all over this country."

RELATED: Senate Republicans pass key deal with Democrat defectors as end to record-long shutdown draws near

Photo by Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island echoed Hickenlooper, saying the shutdown was worthwhile.

"I think it was," Reed said after a long pause. "Because I think the perception, we made it clear that it's not just a health care issue, but the whole issue. I think it was remarkable when the president tried to use SNAP as the punishment to force us to capitulate."

Notably, Reed's claim that President Donald Trump weaponized food assistance programs like SNAP to bully Democrats is inaccurate. Congress is the only political body responsible for appropriating SNAP, and Democrats intentionally shut down and refused to reopen the government for over 40 days.

Additionally, neither Hickenlooper nor Reed were among the eight Democrats who voted to reopen the government.

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Here’s What’s In Major Defense Bill The Senate Just Passed During Shutdown

The Senate approved its annual defense policy bill Thursday, ending weeks of gridlock over the massive $879 billion package and marking a rare move in approving major legislation during a government shutdown. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes $879 billion in funding for the U.S. military and directs national defense strategy, passed in […]

Hegseth blocks Democrats’ smear tactics in fiery Senate showdown: 'I won't fall for it'



Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday regarding the department's fiscal year 2026 budget request — his fourth hearing this month.

Hegseth faced heated exchanges during the hearing as Democratic lawmakers pressed him with hypothetical scenarios aimed at portraying President Donald Trump's administration as overreaching and authoritarian.

'It's all meant to attempt to smear the commander in chief, and I won't fall for it.'

Democrats grilled Hegseth on the Trump administration's strategy amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran, the deployment of troops in Los Angeles, and the termination of "qualified" military leaders.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) questioned Hegseth's leadership abilities, claiming the DOD "has been consumed by high turnover and disarray" since the secretary's confirmation.

RELATED: Pete Hegseth defends deployment of troops in response to anti-ICE riots

Senator Jack Reed. Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

Hegseth countered Reed's critique by highlighting global instability under the prior administration, citing the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

"That was a view of weakness and chaos unleashed by the Biden administration under the previous defense secretary," Hegseth said, referring to former Sec. Lloyd Austin. "So, if a few changes have to be made in the first portion of my term in order to get it right, I think that's pretty acceptable to establish deterrence and rebuild our military and restore the warrior ethos."

Several Democratic leaders decried Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid the anti-immigration enforcement protests that turned destructive and violent.

"What he's doing may well be illegal," declared Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). "I want to ask you about contingency plans for the use of active duty military in other cities. Do you have such contingency plans?"

Blumenthal noted that he was "deeply disturbed and alarmed" by Trump's move.

Hegseth retorted, "Senator, I would just say, we share the president's view that, as you characterized it, we are 'deeply disturbed and alarmed' that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] officers are being attacked while doing their job in any city in America."

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) also questioned Hegseth about the deployed troops, pressing the secretary with outlandish hypotheticals.

"You claim lethality is your top priority. Do you plan to unleash this lethal force against U.S. citizens and civilians in L.A. and other cities?" Hirono asked.

Hegseth rejected the senator's characterization.

"I would like to have a professional response," Hirono snapped.

"Given this regime's dangerous policy of mobilizing troops inside the U.S., the politicizing of the military is a legitimate concern," she continued. "If ordered by the president — I'm going to ask you once again — to shoot peaceful protesters in the legs, would you carry out such an order from the president?"

Hegseth replied, "I reject the premise of your question and the characterization that I would be given or are given unlawful orders. It's all meant to attempt to smear the commander in chief, and I won't fall for it."

RELATED: President Trump has constitutional and statutory authority to use the National Guard domestically

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) used his time to defend Hegseth after Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) claimed that the secretary would never be "held accountable" for allegedly disclosing military actions over the messaging application Signal.

Mullin fired back, "I wonder who was held accountable for the disastrous withdrawal out of Afghanistan, where 13 soldiers died and left thousands of Americans behind underneath Secretary Austin's lead?"

"Did one person get held accountable during that time?" Mullins questioned.

The senator defended Hegseth's record at the DOD after Democrats proclaimed that the department had been plagued with turmoil under his leadership.

Mullin noted that the DOD had the "lowest morale measured in our military history" and "absolutely disastrous" retention rates under Austin.

"You had recruitments that wasn't even meeting lowered standards that you guys lowered," Mullin told his fellow lawmakers. "Now, we have the highest morale that's been measured in decades in the military. We have recruiting numbers that are exceeding expectations."

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Mark Levin EXPOSES how Democrats involved Pete Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law in failed smear campaign



Democrats are known for orchestrating smear campaigns against candidates they don’t like — that is, candidates who aren't going to further their agenda. And they aren’t above employing any means necessary to drag someone’s name and reputation through the mud, even if it means outright lying.

Their thankfully failed attack on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is one of the most recent examples of how the left will coordinate with political operatives, the media, and even disgruntled family members to sabotage someone’s nomination.

Mark Levin exposes exactly how Democrats nearly succeeded in kneecapping America’s new secretary of defense.

Like most smear campaigns, the one launched against Pete Hegseth was multifaceted. First, they said he wasn’t qualified to do his job; then they dredged up old allegations of sexual assault, which were investigated and dismissed years ago; in the next phase, they obtained anonymous signatures from several of Hegseth’s former colleagues alleging that he was a drunk.

When none of that was sufficient to thwart his nomination, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) sent a letter to Danielle Hegseth, Pete’s ex-sister-in-law, inquiring about any instances of aggression or violence. She then signed an affidavit alleging that Hegseth was aggressive and that Samantha, his ex-wife, was often fearful for her safety.

This is easily debunked, says Levin.

First, when Samantha was contacted about this affidavit from Danielle, she denied the claims and assured that Hegseth had never been physically abusive toward her. Further, in their divorce paperwork, both Pete and Samantha signed paperwork that neither of them were victims of domestic abuse.

The nail in the coffin of this ridiculous smear, says Levin, is that Pete and Samantha share joint custody of their three children.

“A judge or magistrate ... is not going to give joint custody of children if one of the parents is violent or abusive or threatens violence. In this case, they have joint custody because they sought joint custody,” he explains.

“[Democrats] are desperate to destroy what's left of the relationship between the ex-wife and Pete, and they're going to destroy the future of these three kids by continuing to pursue this, and they don't care because Schumer is the evil force behind this,” he continues.

The fact that Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law was involved at all is evidence that this was “a complete setup.”

To hear more of Levin’s analysis, watch the clip above.

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