It would be a "mistake" if President Donald Trump's threat to "close down the government" over funding for a wall at the Mexican border ends up coming through, Rep. Tom Cole said Wednesday.
"It's always a mistake to shut down the government," the Oklahoma Republican told CNN. "You make life worse for the American people [and] you put the country at risk."
Shutting down the government also would show "political dysfunction" at a time Republicans control the presidency and both chambers of Congress, Cole said, and he would "strongly advise against any threat to shut down the government of the United States."
Cole told Tulsa World in his home state last week that he believes the White House needs to be more disciplined, and he said Wednesday that Trump's comment about shutting down the government does not show discipline.
"Although, I must say, we saw two different presidents in the last two nights," Cole told CNN. "I thought the president did an exceptional job on Afghanistan and, frankly, was brutally honest with the American people."
In Monday's speech, Trump admitted that remaining in Afghanistan was not what he wanted to do, but he relied on the best advice he received, even if it was at odds with his earlier positions.
"I liked that and respected the president for being straightforward," Cole said. "I think we would be better served if that's the president we saw more often. Again, he ran as an unorthodox figure and I think he still is. He draws support. Has a lot of folks that agree with him."
Trump is a "complex person," Cole continued, but he is the president.
"On most issues, we agree," the lawmaker said. "I will try to work with him where I can. I worry a little bit on this wall issue on both sides. If you actually know what's in the bill, and I do, it's $1.6 billion in a better than trillion dollar spending bill. It's enhanced border security. There is construction in it."
Cole said he also thinks it's a mistake for Trump to attack certain Republicans, like Sen. Jeff Flake, because "who is your opponent today can be your friend tomorrow. That's true on both sides of the aisle."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.