Mick Mulvaney, who served as OMB chief and then White House chief of staff under Trump, doesn’t believe the drop-dead date to raise the debt ceiling and prevent default is June 1, despite Treasury Secretary Yellen’s warnings, The Hill reported on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 (read story here).
He thinks she’s playing political games.
“I don’t believe that Janet Yellen is stupid,” he said. “I think she’s a very smart lady. So, it gives me the impression there’s some politics in that. And I know if I’m thinking that there’s other Republicans on the Hill who are thinking that.”
Republicans are playing chicken with the debt ceiling, and now he wants to play chicken with the deadline, too? What if he’s wrong?
What if hardline Republicans hold out for more concessions, don’t raise the debt ceiling in time, and on June 1 — BAM! — the government stops paying federal employees and military personnel, sending out Social Security and veterans disability checks, and paying interest on Treasury bonds?
Will anyone then say Mulvaney is incompetent, doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and shouldn’t be trusted with important responsibilities in the future?
Not on the Republican side. Admitting mistakes and trying to do better isn’t something they do. That’s one of many reasons why I wouldn’t entrust important responsibilities to them, such as serving in Congress, in the first place.