Trump's Shutdown Circus: Breaking Laws & Baby Food Flights
While the Trump admin pulls off government Houdinis by keeping military pay and baby formula flowing mid-shutdown, theyâre tripping over the 150-year-old party pooper called the Antideficiency Act. Georgetownâs David Super warns criminal charges lurk, but Justice Dept. is napping on the job. Recall 2018â19 when Trumpâs team kept parks open and IRS refunds flowing, triggering GAO's 'knowingly and willfully' penalty shoutout. Meanwhile, Carterâs 1980 shutdown script by Attorney Gen Civiletti, who declared spending past lapses illegal, gets ghosted by today's gamble-riddled White House. Other democracies just vote someone new if budgets fail, but US prefers fiscal stand-up comedy featuring shutdowns, baby food, and federal paychecks on life support.
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The Trump administration is treating the Antideficiency Act like a vintage toy from the atticâdusty, 150 years old, but apparently perfect for dismantling during shutdowns without consequence. Pro tip: Criminal penalties are still a thing, even if no oneâs charging.
Watching the White House dance around the Antideficiency Act is like seeing a toddler skirt discipline: messy lawbreaking with an audience full of unimpressed legal experts and a Justice Department on do-not-disturb.
If government shutdowns were an Olympic sport, Trump's team would be podium contendersâconstantly pushing the limits of illegal baby food shipments and military paycheck illusions, chewing up laws older than your grandpaâs vinyl collection.
Source: Axios | Published: 11/1/2025 | Author: April Rubin
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