Ari Fleischer on Russia Sanctions, Government Shutdowns, and 2026 Elections

Russia Sanctions and Putin's Tactics

• 💡 Ari Fleischer notes that Vladimir Putin is not being honest or transparent, a pattern he has observed since his time in the White House.
• 🎯 The administration is expected to announce new sanctions against Russia, but Fleischer questions the effectiveness of previous packages, calling them "too little, too weak."
• 🔑 Fleischer hopes for big, powerful, strong sanctions from the Trump administration, emphasizing that Russia understands only the language of strength.
• ⚠️ He expresses concern that secondary sanctions, which would penalize entities doing business with Russia, were denied by Trump.

Government Shutdown Politics

• 🚫 Fleischer criticizes the ongoing government shutdown, stating there is nothing bringing the parties together to solve it and that it's "no way to run a government."
• ⚖️ He suggests applying the principle of no filibuster for reconciliation bills to government funding, arguing that a minority party should not be able to attach new spending demands to keep the government open.
• ✂️ Fleischer is increasingly open to the idea of impounding funds for non-essential government programs and personnel, especially given the waste in bureaucratic studies.
• 🏛️ He believes the status quo should prevail in a stalemate, meaning the government should remain open if it was open before the shutdown.

2026 Midterm Election Outlook

• 🚀 President Trump is in a far stronger position now than at the equivalent point in his first term, with diminished energy against him.
• 📉 Democratic energy to show up to vote is shrinking, and there is no inherent love for the Democratic party itself.
• 📊 If the economy is good next year, it will likely benefit Republicans, potentially allowing them to increase their margins in the upcoming elections.
• 📈 Fleischer suggests that a "Trumpian economy" could lead to GOP gains, contrary to the traditional trend of the out-of-party winning during midterms.