'Close it down!' Trump issues order for GOP to do his bidding or bring government to halt

Donald Trump urged Republicans to shut down the federal government in an all-caps Truth Social rant that accused Democrats of trying to rig the 2024 presidential election.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, issued a Truth Social order to his party that they either slam home the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility or spur a government shutdown.

"If Republicans in the House, and Senate, don’t get absolute assurances on Election Security, THEY SHOULD, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, GO FORWARD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET," Trump wrote. "THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO “STUFF” VOTER REGISTRATIONS WITH ILLEGAL ALIENS. DON’T LET IT HAPPEN - CLOSE IT DOWN!!!"

Conservative support for the SAVE Act is reportedly crumbling just one day before House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to call it to a vote on Wednesday along with his six-month spending plan, Politico reported Tuesday afternoon.

Hesitant Republicans are reportedly wary of a high profile fail less than two months before the presidential election on Nov. 5, according to the report.

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While SAVE act supporters such as Johnson contend the bill, which would mandate people registering to vote prove their U.S. citizenship, will protect election integrity, opponents argue it weakens Democracy by making it more difficult to vote.

Critics also note there is no proof immigrants are voting in federal elections, which is already against the law.

Freedom Caucus members have expressed support for the SAVE ACT but Democrats and a number of Republicans argue it cannot be saved.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has stated publicly he will not support a package he's privately said has “fairy tale levels of believability,” a source told Politico.

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House Democrats are predicted to almost unanimously vote against the package, with top Appropriations Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro calling it "reckless" and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dubbing it "dead on arrival," the report notes.

But a looming deadline adds pressure to the debate.

Congress has only funded the federal government until the end of the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, at which point it must pass a stopgap measure or continuing resolution to reset the clock until a new spending bill is approved.

Jake Sherman, founder of the news site Punchbowl News, said Trump's demand created a serious conundrum in the House of Representatives.

"SAVE Act has no chance," Sherman wrote on X. "Johnson says he doesn't want a shutdown. Quite the situation here."