“THIS IS LIKE a kamikaze attack. They have nothing to lose.” Such was the exasperated way in which Donald Trump described the Democrats’ approach to the government shutdown as it dragged into its second week. Democrats have repeatedly refused to back a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government until Republicans make concessions on funding tax credits that have expanded health-care coverage. Republicans are looking for new ways to cudgel them into caving. One weapon is Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It is hard to know if Mr Trump is just using Mr Vought as a threat, or if Mr Vought is using Mr Trump as an opportunity. It may be both; either way the ideas are worth taking seriously.