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Republican Party

Partisan
SeverityHigh
8/10
ThenJuly 25, 2011
Republicans pushed the federal government to the brink of default and demanded spending cuts under President Obama, claiming the national debt was an existential threat.

Under Obama, Republicans shut down the government and nearly triggered a default over deficit concerns, with the debt ceiling crisis of 2011

https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/republicans-fight-deficits-only-when-democrat-president
NowDecember 22, 2017
Republicans passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act projected to cost $1.9 trillion over ten years and also increased spending, despite the economy being at the peak of the business cycle.

Under Trump, Republicans added trillions to the deficit through tax cuts and increased spending with minimal objection

https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/republicans-fight-deficits-only-when-democrat-president

Analysis

The same party that nearly triggered a global financial crisis over deficit concerns under a Democratic president then added trillions to the deficit under a Republican president with no comparable urgency or concern

Detected: 3/26/2026ID: partisan_003