Trump: furloughed federal workers may not get back pay

President Trump says back pay for furloughed federal workers may not be guaranteed. In 2019, President Trump signed legislation into law that ensures federal workers receive back pay during a government shutdown. But this week, he said there’s no guarantee that’ll happen this time. The president told reporters that he wants to take “care of our people,” but added that “there are some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of.”

Trump predicts Canadians will travel to U.S. after trade deal

President Trump predicts that Canadians will travel to the U-S once again after a trade deal is reached. The president made the prediction during an Oval Office meeting with Canada’s prime minister. Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state infuriated our neighbors to the north, who have canceled trips to the U-S in big numbers. There’s been a 23 percent drop in Canadian visits to the U.S. in the first seven months of the year versus the same period in 2024.

White House to use tariff income to boost food aid

The White House says it will use tariff revenue to bolster a food aid program that’s facing funding shortages. The nutrition program for women, infants, and children, known as WIC, is in jeopardy during the federal government shutdown. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president plans to pay for food aid from tariff income. The WIC program provides vouchers to buy infant formula, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Former surgeons general view RFK Jr. as health “threat”

Six former Surgeons General are sounding the alarm over Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  The former public officials argue that Kennedy poses a “profound, immediate and unprecedented threat” to the nation’s health. In a Washington Post op-ed, the past surgeons general warn that Kennedy’s moves on vaccines, autism, and other issues have undermined the public health system. The half dozen officials were appointed by every Republican and Democratic president since George H.W. Bush.

Senate fails again to pass funding and end shutdown

The Senate failed again to pass government funding and end the shutdown. It was deja vu on Capitol Hill as two votes on funding the government each fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The same measures failed last week, which prompted the shutdown and furloughing of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other for the impasse, but President Trump said the two sides are discussing the sticking point of extending health care subsidies.

Illinois and Chicago sue Trump over National Guard deployment

Illinois and Chicago have filed a lawsuit aiming to stop President Trump’s deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the Windy City. The president has portrayed Chicago and other U-S cities as war-ravaged and lawless, and argued they need federal involvement. But the lawsuit alleges that Donald Trump’s long-declared “war” on Chicago and Illinois is unlawful and dangerous. A federal judge did not immediately block the deployment of National Guard troops, but gave the Trump administration two days to respond to Illinois’ lawsuit. G

Trump approves mining road in Alaska wilderness

President Trump has approved a mining road in Alaska that was sidelined by President Biden. The president announced he’s moving ahead with a proposed 211-mile road through an Alaska wilderness to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. It’s called the Ambler Road project, which was approved in Donald Trump’s first term. But it was later blocked by the Biden administration, which citied threats to wildlife and harm to Alaska Native tribes the rely on hunting and fishing.

Trump to impose 25% tariffs on large truck imports

President Trump will soon be imposing news tariffs on large trucks. Starting next month, all medium- and heavy-duty trucks imported into the U-S will face a 25 percent tariff rate. President Trump said the escalated tax will take effect November 1st. He has said new tariffs are designed to protect U-S companies from “unfair outside competition.” The U-S Chamber of Commerce had urged the administration not to impose the truck tariffs, noting the top five importers are all allies and close trading partners.

Presidential power to be tested in new Supreme Court term

The new Supreme Court term features some high-profile cases on presidential power. In November, the high court will hear a pivotal case for President Trump’s economic agenda as it considers the legality of many of his sweeping tariffs. In December, the justices will take up his power to fire independent agency members at will. And he president’s executive order to end automatic birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants has also arrived at the Supreme Court.

Trump deploys troops to Chicago while judge blocks troops in Portland

There were new developments over the weekend involving President Trump’s efforts to tamp down crime. The president authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to protect federal officers and assets in Chicago. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker denounced the move, calling it unnecessary and a manufactured performance. Meanwhile, a federal judge temporarily blocked the president’s plans to mobilize 200 Guard troops in Portland, Oregon, ruling that the city’s protests did not justify the use of federalized forces.

House lawakers stay home as the Senate debates shutdown

House leaders are employing their own strategies as the Senate struggles to reopen the government. The House of Representatives is not in session this week after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled all votes and legislative business and sent lawmakers home. He said the House will return as soon as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer “allows us to reopen the government.” Meanwhile, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the Democrat in the House said Democrats will caucus virtually on Monday.

White House warns of mass federal worker layoffs if shutdown doesn’t end

There could be wide-reaching federal layoffs if President Trump doesn’t see progress in the shutdown talks. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that mass layoffs of federal workers will start if the president decides negotiations with congressional Democrats are “absolutely going nowhere.” Despite the warning, Hassett expressed cautious optimism that a shutdown and mass federal layoffs could still be avoided. He said he still saw a chance that Democrats would back down.

Trump plans aid package for hard-hit U.S. soybean farmers

President Trump is making plans for a significant aid package for U-S soybean farmers. The move aims to help farmers survive China’s boycott of American beans, which was sparked by the president’s trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says substantial support for farmers is expected to be announced this week. The aid comes amid the ongoing tariff war that has prompted China to stop buying U.S. soybeans and order soybeans from Brazil and Argentina.

White House withholds money from states with Dem senators

Federal government shutdown to stretch into next week

Hamas agrees to parts of Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Hamas has partially accepted President Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza. After Donald Trump issued Hamas a Sunday evening deadline to agree to the plan or face stepped up military action, the terrorist organization agreed to give up power and release all remaining hostages. But other elements of the plan are still being discussed. In response, the president ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip. The war has been raging nearly two years since the brutal October 7th Hamas attack against Israel.

Another Senate vote fails to fund government, end shutdown

Another vote to fund the government has failed in the Senate — extending the shutdown. Forty-four Democrats voted against a Republican bill that would have temporarily restored federal funding and reopened the government. The final tally was short of the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation. While there have been some bipartisan discussions, there are few signs of any real progress toward ending the congressional standoff. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled legislative business in his chamber next week in a move aimed at forcing the Senate to work with the House-approved government funding bill. GC, Wash.

Bipartisan group of senators discussing possible shutdown compromises

Senators from both parties are discussing ways to end the government shutdown, but the impasse continues. While most Republicans and Democrats appear dug in for a prolonged fight, a bipartisan group of senators has been discussing possible health care compromises. The group includes moderate Democrats who have said they want to find a quick resolution and have been holding one-on-one talks over the last two days. One of their core concerns is extending health care benefits due to expire. But GOP leadership is insisting on a clean funding bill at current spending levels.

Trump sets Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept peace deal

President Trump has set a Sunday evening deadline for Hamas to agree to a deal ending the war in Gaza.
The president’s latest ultimatum came in a social media post, threatening more attacks if Hamas doesn’t agree to a proposed peace deal. He said this is the “last chance” for the militant group to accept. The president said an agreement must be reached by 6pm Eastern time on Sunday. Writing in all caps, he declared “there will be peace in the Middle East one way or the other.”

Trump considers more job cuts in the federal workforce

The Trump administration is using the government shutdown to potentially make more cuts in the federal workforce. The president met with his White House budget director on Thursday to discuss the possible firing of more federal workers. Referring to the shutdown, he wrote online that he can’t believe Democrats gave him “this unprecedented opportunity.” The president said that his focus is on cutting, what he called, “Democrat agencies” in the government. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there could be “thousands” of layoffs.

Monthly jobs numbers delayed amidst gov’t shutdown

One of the casualties of the government shutdown is the monthly jobs report. The Labor Department typically releases its monthly job numbers on the first Friday of the month. But that report on economic data is being delayed amidst the ongoing shutdown. A short delay won’t be very disruptive. But a long absence of those numbers could pose challenges, particularly for the Federal Reserve. The Fed relies on jobs data as it grapples with interest rates amid a slowing labor market.

White House asks universities to support its policies for money access

The White House is asking nine major universities to support Trump priorities in exchange for priority access to federal money. This week’s letter to the universities asks them to sign an agreement committing them to accept the government’s definition of gender and apply it to campus bathrooms, locker rooms and women’s sports teams. It also asks colleges to stop considering race, gender, and other demographics in the admissions process. In return, schools would have priority access to funding and the White House. The schools are Vanderbilt, the Universities of Arizona, Pennsylvania, Southern California, Texas, and Virginia, Dartmouth College, MIT, and Brown University.

Trump administration considers thousands of layoffs in shutdown

It’s Day Two of a government shutdown that has both political parties blaming the other. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Trump hopes Senate Democrats will “do the right thing” and support a temporary funding bill. With the Senate out until Friday, the shutdown will be in effect until at least then. Meanwhile, Leavitt says the administration is looking at sizable layoffs in the federal workforce.

White House threatens mass federal layoffs amidst shutdown

The White House is threatening to carry out mass layoffs of federal workers with the government shutdown underway. A presidential spokesperson said government agencies are already preparing for cuts, even as Vice President JD Vance insisted no final decisions have been made. Typically during shutdowns, federal employees are furloughed and they receive back pay once the government reopens. But President Trump has directed the White House budget office and Cabinet secretaries to identify jobs to be cut. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “we believe that layoffs are imminent.”