WASHINGTON—The first test of Elon Musk’s attempt to rein in Congress and its prolific spending threatened to shut down the government.The drama erupted when the billionaire torpedoed Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial end-of-the-year measure to extend government funding.

Joe Biden has faded from national leadership as Donald Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, act as though they’re already in charge. Panelists on Washington Week With The Atlantic joined last night to discuss this and how a government shutdown came to be on the table.