White House Blackmail

10.2.25

Happy Thursday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco — your daily briefing on U.S. politics. Let’s break it down.

Trump Freezes $26B Funding to Democratic-Led States Amid Shutdown…In a new escalation of the shutdown standoff, the White House has frozen $26 billion in federal funds destined for states led by Democrats. This includes $18 billion in transit funding for New York (as mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter) and $8 billion in green-energy initiatives across 16 states. JD Vance also warned that if the shutdown persists, further layoffs would follow.

Common Sense takeaway: This is blackmail in broad daylight. “If you don’t do this, we will do this” is the White House playbook, except it’s civilians getting hurt, not politicians. Maybe they should try leading, instead of threatening?

Economy Takes a Hit: $15B in Weekly Losses Forecasted…..A White House memo warns the shutdown could cost the U.S. $15 billion in GDP each week, with a potential ripple effect of 43,000 new jobless claims in just one month. Federal workers’ lost wages and pullbacks in consumer spending will drive much of the downturn.

Common Sense takeaway: Shutting down the government means shutting off paychecks and consumer spending. Hooray! When does the Golden Age of America start again?

Two Funding Bills Blocked Again, Shutdown Deepens…..The Senate failed again to advance two short-term funding bills: a GOP-drafted measure to keep the government open until November 21, which failed 55–45 with three Democrats crossing party lines and Rand Paul as the lone Republican “no”; and a Democratic version, which would have extended funding until the end of October and preserved ACA subsidies, but was rejected 47–53 with all Republicans opposed.

Common Sense takeaway: Republicans don’t want to govern, they want chaos. Instead of protecting health care subsidies for millions of Americans, they’d rather hold the economy hostage.

Poll Shows Major Concern…..A recent Marist Poll revealed 79% of Americans believe the U.S. has gone too far in restricting free speech, with strong majorities even among Republicans agreeing. Additionally, 30% of Americans now believe that political violence may be necessary to get the country “back on track.”

Common Sense takeaway: Nearly 8 in 10 Americans thinking free speech is under attack and almost a third say political violence might be “necessary” is a huge red flag. Republicans have spent years normalizing the idea that disagreeing with them is “censorship” and that Democrats are “the enemy within.”

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more.