American People Are ‘Hostage’ To Schumer’s and Jeffries’ Poll Numbers

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has pushed back against the media narrative surrounding the current government shutdown, telling ABC News that the American people are hostage to the poll numbers of Democratic leaders.

Host Martha Raddatz asked Bessent on ABC’s “This Week” program whether President Trump should meet with Democrats as federal workers are beginning to suffer under the shutdown.

Bessent responded, reminding Raddatz that Democratic leadership is dug in, telling her, “The American people are hostage to Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries’ poll numbers! 52 Republican senators have voted 11 times to reopen the government.”

Raddatz then asked Bessent whether he thinks the Republican Party bears any responsibility for the shutdown since it controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Bessent asked, “What can we do? What can we do for this desperate act?”