Dakota Times

U.S. Representative Angie Craig, who has represented Minnesota’s 2nd district in Congress since 2019, posted a series of statements on social media criticizing former President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers for their handling of the ongoing government shutdown.

On October 14, 2025, Craig wrote, "While no one was watching, Trump quietly fired nearly every employee at the Dept of Ed's Special Ed office. It takes a special kind of heartlessness to weaponize a government shutdown – especially one caused by your own party – to target kids with special needs. It's a new low."

Later that day, she added, "President Trump is saying the quiet part out loud. He doesn't want to end this shutdown. He wants to use it to advance his extreme agenda. And yet again – at the expense of federal workers and hardworking Minnesotans." This statement came as federal employees and local residents continued to face uncertainty due to the ongoing impasse in Washington.

On October 15, 2025, Craig commented on the duration of the shutdown: "It’s been 15 days since Republicans shut down the government. 15 days without addressing the health care crisis. 15 days federal workers have been dealing with uncertainty. 15 days Republicans have been on vacation. I’m in DC. It’s time for Republicans to come to work, do"

Craig's remarks come amid growing frustration in Congress over the stalemate that has left federal agencies unfunded and many workers unpaid. The congresswoman, who was born in West Helena, Arkansas in 1972 and currently resides in Prior Lake, Minnesota, has been vocal about the impact of the shutdown on her constituents and federal services. She graduated from the University of Memphis in 1994 with a BA.

The current shutdown began after disagreements between Republican lawmakers and other members of Congress regarding budget priorities and spending measures.