GOP Blames 'No Kings' Protests for Shutdown, Funds Military Instead
The Trump administration and its GOP allies are pointing fingers at the upcoming 'No Kings' protests, claiming they're the real reason for the government shutdown, which began nearly three weeks before the protest date was announced. Axios highlights Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarkable deduction: “No Kings equals no paychecks.” This masterclass in misdirection conveniently distracts from
the administration’s stated goal to “gut agencies” it deems “Democrat.” One might wonder why, if these protests are so detrimental, Congress didn't remain in session to avert the shutdown they claim is a consequence. While federal employees go without pay, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who received over $20,000 from defense contractors like Lockheed Martin in 2023-2024 alone , kept the House out of
session. This same Congress easily passed HR 815 , sending billions in aid abroad, yet struggles to fund its own government. The 'No Kings' narrative serves as a convenient smokescreen, allowing the defunding of domestic programs while ensuring military budgets and foreign aid packages critical to defense contractors remain untouched. The timing raises questions: are these protests a legitimate
target, or simply the latest rhetorical sacrifice on the altar of political maneuvering?