White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized Democrats on Wednesday, blaming them for what she called a “reckless and damaging government shutdown” that has disrupted the lives of millions of Americans.br br “The damage caused by Democrats with this reckless shutdown cannot be forgotten,” Leavitt said during a press briefing, adding that an estimated 5.2 million travellers have had their journeys disrupted as a result of the political standoff.br br The shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — has caused widespread delays at airports, temporary furloughs for federal workers, and interruptions in key public services.br br Republican officials argue that Democrats are prioritizing political gamesmanship over national stability, while Democrats accuse the Trump administration of refusing to negotiate in good faith.