The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and shutter entire government agencies. Is this just a new bargaining tactic to put pressure on Democrats or part of a bigger project to remake the American government? 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson and Olivia Case.

Read more: Trump warns Democrats the ‘grim reaper is coming’

The revenge shutdown: Trump vows to inflict maximum pain on Democrats

Clips: CBS, ProPublica, Democracy Now!, @realDonaldTrump / TruthSocial, ABC, MSNBC, NBC News.

Music: (Don't Fear) The Reaper / Blue Oyster Cult / Columbia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: [email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.