Former President Donald Trump spoke out in support of a government shutdown, claiming the move would help "defund" political attacks against him.

Trump shared the view in a Truth Social post released on Wednesday evening.

Trump, who led the longest government shutdown in US history, calls on Republicans to let it happen again in 9 days so they can 'defund these political prosecutions against me' https://t.co/u3QY8odwef

— Insider Business (@BusinessInsider) September 22, 2023

The comments

"Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden's weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State," Trump posted on his site.

"This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country!" he continued.

A very important deadline is approaching at the end of the month. Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden’s weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State. This is also the last… pic.twitter.com/n6DByAgwQ1

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 21, 2023

The issue

"After failing to corral his party around the conservatives' resolution, McCarthy is reportedly seeking to pass a funding bill that would include deeper spending cuts alongside an immigration package that Democrats are likely to vote against — meaning he would need conservative holdouts to hop on board," Business Insider reported.

"If they don't, McCarthy would have to appease some Democratic lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown — and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz said that could cost McCarthy his title as Speaker," it added.

With nine days to avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers remain engulfed in spending fights. Here are the new challenges they face. https://t.co/pQo5vIlZz4

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 22, 2023

The NBC interview

“No. I think if they don’t get a fair deal – we have to save our country. We have $35 trillion in debt. We have to save our country,” Trump said on the issue during an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press."

“I’d shut down the government if they can’t make an appropriate deal, absolutely," he noted.

The shutdown might be to Trump's advantage by potentially slowing down his indictment cases but it would be a terrible move for many Americans.

A government shutdown could impact mail services, payments by the government to taxpayers and impact the military.

Trump may be ready for a shutdown if a deal is not reached but any shutdown would be a negative for most Americans, showing the ongoing dysfunction of the government.