“Most People Don’t Realize What Johnson Just Did To America With This Shutdown,” Says Obama

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has reportedly issued a sharp warning about the consequences of the ongoing federal government shutdown, saying that “most people don’t realize what Speaker Mike Johnson just did to America.” His remarks, delivered during a closed-door discussion with Democratic leaders and later circulated through aides, reflect growing alarm within the party about the economic and social fallout of the crisis.

The shutdown, now stretching into its third week, began after budget negotiations between the Republican-controlled House and the Senate collapsed. Speaker Mike Johnson, under pressure from his party’s hard-right faction, refused to bring a bipartisan funding bill to the floor, insisting instead on deep spending cuts and policy riders targeting climate programs and Ukraine aid. The White House and Senate Democrats rejected those conditions, triggering a lapse in government funding.

Obama, who faced similar gridlock during his presidency in 2013, compared the current situation to a “self-inflicted wound” that threatens both the economy and the credibility of American governance. “It’s not just about paychecks for federal workers,” Obama reportedly said. “It’s about families who can’t get childcare, veterans whose benefits are delayed, small businesses that can’t access loans. Every day this continues, it chips away at the foundation of our economy and our faith in institutions.”

The former president’s comments quickly made waves online, with supporters praising his intervention and critics accusing him of politicizing the crisis. Conservative commentators dismissed Obama’s statement as partisan fear-mongering, arguing that Johnson’s stance reflects legitimate fiscal responsibility and an attempt to curb runaway government spending.

Still, economists warn that the shutdown’s impact is already being felt. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay. National parks and museums are closed, passport applications have stalled, and federal contracts with small businesses have been suspended. According to a recent report by Moody’s Analytics, the shutdown could shave up to 0.3% off quarterly GDP growth if it continues into November.

Behind the political drama lies a deeper struggle for control of the Republican agenda. Johnson’s leadership has been tested by divisions between moderates seeking compromise and hardliners aligned with the Freedom Caucus, who view confrontation as a political weapon. Democrats argue that the Speaker’s refusal to find common ground reveals a dangerous willingness to hold the economy hostage for ideological gain.

Obama’s warning reflects broader concerns about the erosion of bipartisan governance. “We’ve seen this movie before,” he reportedly said. “Shutting down the government doesn’t make Washington work better — it makes Americans lose faith that government can work at all.”

While President Joe Biden has avoided direct confrontation with Johnson, the administration is increasingly vocal about the damage the shutdown is causing. Polls show that a majority of Americans blame congressional Republicans for the impasse, though frustration with both parties is rising.

As the standoff drags on, Obama’s remarks serve as both a reminder and a warning — that the true cost of political brinkmanship is not measured in headlines or polling numbers, but in the lives of millions of Americans caught in the crossfire of Washington dysfunction.