One aspect of a potential shutdown that I haven’t seen discussed yet is that it might put pressure on Trump and Elon to make a definitive declaration as to Elon’s status as the Head of “DOGE.”
Trump has at times argued both that Elon is a government worker (and thus entitled to the privileges and protections accorded to one) and that he is a private citizen (and thus not obligated to follow all the rules and regulations that constrain government employees). This attempt to create a legal netherworld where Elon can exercise all of the perks of a government worker without being subject to any of the responsibilities of one who is required to act in the public interest is a dangerous threat to the rule of law.
A government shutdown would seemingly require Trump and Elon to decide once and for all which is the true status. As in The Highlander, there can only be one. If Elon continues to operate after a shutdown, that would seem to indicate that he is not a government employee. If he ceases operations during the shutdown, that would seem to indicate that he is. Whichever way they choose, this would seem to make it more difficult for the Trump Administration to continue to try have their cake and eat it too.
This is yet one more reason to bring on the Shutdown!
