President Donald Trump is trying to turn a government shutdown into an ultimatum for higher education and the federal workforce, and he is already auditioning Democrats as the fall guys. “We could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and they’d be permanently cut.” Translation: comply with the agenda, or watch the pink slips and program cuts pile up. The comments landed as the shutdown took effect at midnight, and as the administration sent universities a political ultimatum dressed up as policy. Tariff talks, oil and gas permits, even plans for a splashy new White House ballroom remain insulated from the austerity buzzsaw. Others will likely take it to court and dare the White House to defend viewpoint policing and ideological litmus tests with taxpayer dollars at stake.