On the one hand, there is no way the Democrats can simply acquiesce to Trump’s revolutionary efforts to impound appropriated funds. On the other hand, if they shut down the government, they will be cutting off needed government services to millions of people, immiserating the workforce, and taking the hit for it in the eyes of the public. There are no good choices here. What should they do?
Ultimately, the decision on impoundment has to be made by the Supreme Court. If an agreement can be reached with the GOP leadership on the numbers, the Democrats should make the deal without guarantees, since they will not be forthcoming, but with the very public statement that any evidence of impoundment will be met with litigation.