I know the country is divided over everything, but I don't see any viewpoint where this is anything but Trump holding his own government hostage because he was unable to negotiate a deal with congress. It's too bad government workers have to endure this idiocy, but the president doesn't get to circumvent democracy because he failed at the one thing he's supposed to be good at, making deals. Add in he wanted this shutdown to happen and made it happen. Add in he hasn't even been able to strike a deal with his own party. Add in he changes his mind daily and his own staff can't keep up with his flip-flops. Add in Mexico isn't paying for anything. Add in we just had an election to basically put a check on Trump. This shutdown is Trump vs. Trump.