Stubborn Dems’ gov’t shutdown: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 3, 2025

The Issue: A partial government shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a federal funding bill.

The shutdown is just another ploy of Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party when they can’t get their way (“Fed gov’t shuts down as Dems vote nay on funding bill,” Oct. 1).

Schumer and his cohorts just don’t get it: The American people don’t want open borders, and they don’t want immigrants getting taxpayer-paid benefits. The Dems shut down the government to force this spending but want to blame the shutdown on Republicans.

It’s time people let the Dems know to go to hell, because they shouldn’t get their way on this issue.

George Pfeiffer

East Haven, Conn.

It is high time for politicians of both parties to be willing to work in a bipartisan fashion to have the government reopen as soon as possible.

There is far too much political nonsense, and Washington has turned into a three-ring circus.

President Trump cannot be the only one to blame for this government shutdown. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are also to be blamed for this, because they — and their party — have been very inflexible on several issues.

Stop the political infighting and get back to the negotiating table to end this government shutdown now.

John Amato

Fresh Meadows

This odd government shutdown has me and many other Americans wondering much about the competency, decency and intellect of many of our politicians.

The votes to shut down the government have been disrespectful and inconsiderate to many good Americans.

Those at the forefront of this shutdown nonsense include surly Jeffries and Schumer. These two offer no ideas, solutions, negotiations or compromises. Yet they’re comfortable criticizing those who do make the tough decisions.

Examples of excellence, statesmanship, worthiness and originality? Clearly these two are not.

Jack Ridolph

The Villages, Fla.

With no solutions and their widely unpopular woke ideas, the Dems’ strategy is to create chaos and blame Trump for it — shameful.

They have no regard for the American people, and their only real concern is to stay in power.

John Avelli

Brooklyn

The Issue: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s com­ments about “fat troops” at Tuesday’s military summit.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth should know better than to criticize one’s abilities by their appearance (“Generals, pay ‘Attention,’ ” Oct. 1).

During my 41 years of military service, the generals and senior staff did their physical training tests with the troops and passed. Not looking physically fit in uniform did not stop anyone from successfully completing every task and mission assigned.

Robert Neglia

The Bronx

Pete Hegseth apparently does not understand that the key qualification for military personnel in the 21st century is intelligence, as combat will take place with drones, missiles, AI or unnamed vehicles, for example.

To succeed in that environment requires a high degree of mental, not physical ability.

Ed Houlihan

Ridgewood, NJ

Has anyone told our secretary of war that we have moved along into the 21st century? We will most likely not win our next war with bayonets, but rather computers. A modern-day soldier might be just as effective from a wheelchair, controlling drones on a PC, as a World War II soldier was marching through Germany.

I think we would do well to concentrate on the mental acuity of our recruits, rather than their physical strength.

Thomas Carney

Lincroft, NJ

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