Trump Says GOP Would Be ‘Foolish and Unpatriotic’ to Not Use the Debt Ceiling Debate As Leverage

Former President Donald Trump is urging Congressional Republicans to use the United States’ debt limit as leverage to force Democrats to give up on their domestic priorities.

In a statement on Wednesday, Trump wrote, “The only powerful tool that Republicans have to negotiate with is the Debt Ceiling, and they would be both foolish and unpatriotic not to use it now. The way I look at it, what the Democrats are proposing, on so many different levels, will destroy our Country. Unrelated, but likewise, their so-called ‘Voting Rights Bill’ will be the end of our Democracy.”

“Therefore, Republicans have no choice but to do what they have to do, and the Democrats will have no choice but to concede all of the horror they are trying to inflict upon the future of the United States,” he continued.

Finally, Trump said, “Don’t give up or concede, Republicans, this is the ultimate representation of the People!”

Read the statement below:

Trump’s statement comes as lawmakers are looking to pass a roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a larger $3.5 trillion spending bill. Additionally, lawmakers are facing a deadline to avoid a government shut down and suspend the debt limit.

Republicans are expected to block a bill to suspend the debt ceiling.

As Bloomberg reports