Inslee Statement Regarding Trump Shutdown of Federal Government

— from Governor Inslee’s Office —

“The president has doubled down on a temper tantrum of epic proportions. The level of disruption and destruction he has wrought with his fixation on building a useless wall is staggering. He has divided families and traumatized children, sowed xenophobia and division throughout the nation, and for the third time this year will force a shutdown of the federal government that will have real consequences for millions of families this holiday season.

“Because of Donald Trump, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed or forced to work without pay over the holidays. Fortunately, in Washington state, we will be able to minimize impacts to state programs and services in the short-term. But our state should not be left responsible for continuing important services that are a federal responsibility — including programs such as food inspection, sexual assault and domestic violence prevention, crime victim support, and basic food assistance for women, infants and children across Washington.

“This is not about border security. This is about a man who puts the opinions of a few ultra-far-right cable news commentators above the good of the nation he was elected to serve. Donald Trump may not have to deal with the consequences of his capricious and selfish government shutdown, but we the people do. Washingtonians and all Americans deserve better.”