KQED's Forum How a Federal Shutdown and New Trump Edicts are Changing Government
Oct 6, 2025
Molly Ball, a former senior political correspondent, discusses the chaotic negotiations over the government shutdown, highlighting a lack of urgency on Capitol Hill. Philip Bump dives into the historical use of shutdowns as political leverage and the implications of ongoing budget battles. Domenico Montanaro sheds light on the legal limits surrounding military deployments and the potential risks of using federal troops for domestic issues. Together, they explore how the Trump administration is reshaping political norms and the impact on democratic processes.
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Courts Push Back On Troop Deployments
- Trump justifies National Guard and troop deployments by citing crime but courts have challenged that narrative.
- Molly Ball highlights a judge saying intermittent protests don't equate to rebellion warranting military action.
Troop Moves Mix Politics With Proximity
- Deploying state troops to other states can be political and proximate rather than purely operational.
- Philip Bump suggests California units sent to Oregon partly to needle Governor Gavin Newsom and assert federal influence.
Troops On Streets Tests Democratic Norms
- Regular federal deployments in cities raise fears of normalizing military presence and authoritarian tactics.
- Molly Ball argues these actions unsettle Americans and test long-standing norms about troops in domestic policing.
