As the government shutdown approaches the longest in history — 35 days during Donald Trump’s first term — one word explains the dynamic and duration of the paralysis: trust. Washington today suffers from a Trust Deficit.

Democrats see that Trump and his budget director, Russell Vought, are ruthlessly reversing previous decisions made by Congress — closing departments, firing federal workers, impounding billions of dollars already appropriated by the legislature. So, they have good reason to believe that any deal forged with congressional Republicans to reopen the government could be summarily ignored by the White House.

Even Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska admits that Democrats are right to be wary: “If you’re a Democrat … you’re saying, ‘Why am I going to try to be helpful, if

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