The U.S. government shut down on Wednesday morning. For the Democrats, it is an act of resistance against President Trump’s second-term agenda. The question is now whether their gamble will pay off or backfire.

In an episode recorded from the Capitol, Catie Edmondson and Carl Hulse, New York Times reporters who cover Congress, tell us what the decision-making looked like inside the building before the shutdown.

Then, we have an interview with Senator Chuck Schumer. He explains why he pursued the shutdown in the moments before the vote.

Guest:

Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times.
Carl Hulse, the chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times.
Senator Chuck Schumer, minority leader of the United States Senate.

Background reading:

The shutdown of the U.S. government entered its first full day with no hint that either side would give.
Here’s how congressional leaders are positioning themselves.

Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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The Democrats’ Big Shutdown Gamble