How Trump Used Government Shutdowns as Leverage During His First Presidency NYT | Top Stories By: Maggie Haberman 21 December 2024 at 03:11 A partial government shutdown in Donald J. Trump’s first term was the longest in U.S. history. © Maansi Srivastava for The New York TimesPresident-elect Donald J. Trump has repeatedly told allies and advisers over the last few days that he does not oppose a government shutdown.