When Asked What’s Next to End Shutdown, White House Says ‘Keep Watching’

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Tuesday what further actions President Trump plans to take to end the federal government shutdown, beyond his posts on his platform, Truth Social.

“Look, I think you’ll see. I think you’ll see the president continue to engage, very strongly and consistently with his friends on Capitol Hill,” Leavitt said. “I don’t have any meetings to read out for you at this time, but I think you should stay tuned and keep your eyes on Truth Social on this matter. The president’s making his position on it quite clear.” ABC News

She added that Trump has issued multiple calls for Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster in order to end the stalemate.

“And again, he is right. Republicans need to play tough. We know that this is what the Democrats will do if they are ever given the keys to power again,” she said. ABC7 Los Angeles+1

Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told ABC News that while there are signs of a thaw in the impasse, it may take longer than the White House anticipates. When asked whether Democrats would drop their demand to extend health-care (ACA) subsidies if asked, he replied:

“What have we done to endure all of this inconvenience and some pain if we don’t accomplish something for the American people… the greater hurt is to go without health insurance, and that has to be the goal.” ABC News

Senate Republicans appeared cautiously optimistic that moderate Democrats may shift by end of this week, though no public commitments have been made. A small bipartisan group is reportedly in discussions. Republican Senators Mike Rounds and Markwayne Mullin have suggested a possible reopening by Thursday or Friday if the momentum holds. ABC News

Why This Matters

• The shutdown has now reached Day 35, tying the record for the longest federal government closure in U.S. history. ABC News
• Trump’s renewed push to eliminate the filibuster signals a possible strategy shift—withdraw the procedural barrier and force action, rather than negotiate incrementally.
• The White House messaging shift—“stay tuned,” “keep your eyes on Truth Social”—reveals the administration is navigating both policy and optics simultaneously.

What to Watch

• Will the President schedule additional meetings with congressional leaders or publicly endorse a specific path forward?
• Will Republicans formally introduce filibuster changes or start negotiation for the shutdown end?
• Will moderate Democrats publicly signal willingness to shift their stance this week?
• How will this messaging affect public perception, especially among witnesses to shutdown impacts like federal workers, SNAP recipients, and government contractors?

Bottom Line

With the shutdown tying the longest‐ever record, the White House is projecting action—even as definitive steps remain unannounced. Leavitt’s comments underline the pressure and urgency: the President is engaged, but the path out is unclear. The coming days will test whether rhetoric turns into real movement—or if the stalemate deepens.

Get Live Updates in Your Feed