According to Mick Mulvaney, the president's "good shutdown" suggestion fits into his larger campaign promise to shake up Washington. | Getty Mulvaney explains a 'good' government shutdown

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney on Sunday explained what a "good shutdown" of the federal government might look like, after President Donald Trump suggested on Twitter that a "good shutdown" could fix some of the government's problems.

"I think the president is frustrated that the process in Washington is broken," Mulvaney said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "The appropriations, the spending process, Congress using the power of the purse has been broken here in Washington for more than 10 years. And I think a good shutdown would be one that could help fix that."


At issue are appropriations for the 2018 fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1. If none are approved, the government would face a shutdown.

On Tuesday, Trump wrote over two tweets, "The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We.... [break] either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!"

According to Mulvaney, the president's "good shutdown" suggestion fits into his larger campaign promise to shake up Washington.

"It's part of that overall drain-the-swamp mentality about Washington, D.C.," Mulvaney said. "This president is willing to think outside the box and do things differently around here in order to change Washington. And if that comes to a shutdown, so be it."