The White House hid Biden’s decline, per WSJ, by giving controlled access, scripting most moments and placing senior advisers in roles that Biden would have otherwise occupied

President Joe Biden has chosen to remain out of the public eye during what could become one of the final domestic crises of his presidency, as the White House and congressional Democrats frame the impending government shutdown as a Republican problem to solve.

The crisis escalated Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump criticized a funding deal negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling it overly accommodating to Democratic priorities. The deal, intended to fund the government until March, now faces uncertainty, raising questions about Trump’s support for Johnson in the upcoming Speaker election.

As a shutdown seemed increasingly likely on Thursday, congressional Democrats and the White House focused on highlighting the potential impact on millions of Americans—not just federal employees who risk missing paychecks but also states that could lose vital disaster relief and other services. According to sources, Democrats aim to show the tangible costs of a failed funding agreement.

White House officials declined to specify Biden's involvement in resolving the situation. On Thursday, Biden had no public appearances as he prepared to return to the White House from Wilmington. The crisis remains primarily an internal conflict among Republicans, with Trump and his allies pressuring congressional Republicans. Given Biden's low approval rating—currently at 37% according to CNN’s Poll of Polls—his ability to influence Republicans is uncertain.

The White House has largely allowed Republicans to handle the dispute. "It's in the Hill's hands," a senior White House official told CNN, noting that Johnson’s deal could collapse under opposition from Trump and his allies.

Last Friday, the Biden administration initiated contingency planning for a potential shutdown, as is customary a week before government funding is set to lapse. Since then, the White House has refrained from speculating on a deal, stating it is up to congressional leaders to resolve the issue.

Some Democrats, however, have called for the White House to play a more active role in warning the public about the potential consequences of a shutdown. These could include the closure of national parks and monuments, as well as disruptions to holiday travel if TSA agents call out sick due to delayed pay.

Meanwhile, Trump and his ally Elon Musk have pressured Republicans to align with Trump’s stance on the deal, suggesting those who don't should face primary challenges. In an interview with ABC News, Trump asserted that Biden would ultimately be blamed for the shutdown, despite the deadlock arising from Republican infighting.

“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and prepare the country for success in 2025,” Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said in a joint statement Wednesday. “The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.”

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