Government Shutdown & Potential Firings - The report highlights the potential for mass firings of federal workers due to the government shutdown, initiated by the Trump administration [1] - The report emphasizes that there is no legal requirement to fire employees during a shutdown, and such dismissals have never occurred in the nation's history [2] Project 2025 & Russ Vought's Role - The report points out President Trump's apparent endorsement of Project 2025, despite previous claims of having no knowledge of it [3][4] - Russ Vought, described as "He of Project 2025 fame," is identified as a key figure in the shutdown, focusing on agencies and jobs for potential cuts [3][5] - The report suggests Vought has been planning to slash government spending for years, viewing it as a long-term goal [6][7] - Senator Mike Lee indicates that Vought has been preparing for this moment since puberty, aiming to empower Trump further [9] Potential Erosion of Checks and Balances - The report suggests that Vought's efforts are enabling Trump to exert authority more aggressively, potentially threatening the constitutional system's checks and balances [8]

Market Performance - Stocks are expected to gain further, with investors remaining optimistic despite the ongoing government shutdown, which is anticipated to impact the release of key jobs data [1] - Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 96 points, or 0.2%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures both rose by 0.3% [1] - All three major indexes achieved record closing highs in the previous session [1] Bond and Commodity Markets - The yield on the benchmark 10-year note increased by 2 basis points to 4.10% [2] - Gold futures rose by 0.4% to $3,882 per ounce [2] - The U.S. dollar remained stable against a weighted basket of its peers [2]

Media Criticism - The New York Times and the Washington press corps are struggling to adequately cover Donald Trump's actions and rhetoric [1][2][12] - The media's reaction to Trump's behavior is inconsistent compared to their scrutiny of Democrats, particularly regarding language used to describe voters [5][6][7][8][26][27][28] - The media is perceived as normalizing or accepting Trump's behavior, including his use of social media and profanity [13][14][15][16][25][27] Political Commentary - Donald Trump's use of social media to disseminate potentially misleading or offensive content is unprecedented [2][3][15][16] - Trump's language and behavior are considered extreme and deviate from traditional presidential norms [4][7][9][10][17][22] - The White House's response to criticism, including the use of humor and continued dissemination of controversial content, is seen as inappropriate [23][24]

Government Shutdown & Negotiations - The Republican party is perceived as being in a difficult position due to the government shutdown [2] - Democratic leadership, specifically Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, are leading negotiations [3][4] - Republicans are seen as not having a clear plan for the American people [3] - The Republican administration has a history of not keeping its word [7] - Democrats are united in their stance [4][8] Healthcare & Policy - Protecting and expanding healthcare access for all Americans is a key priority [3] - Concerns exist that healthcare premiums are doubling, potentially impacting the elderly [5] - A trillion dollars in cuts to the healthcare system by the Republican majority are expected to have devastating effects [10] - The claim that Democrats are fighting for healthcare for undocumented people is false [9] - The focus should be on ensuring people can afford necessities like insulin and food [5][6][10]

The man in the middle of President Trump's shutdown strategy, budget chief Russell Vote, has, as the Wall Street Journal put it, been planning for this moment for years. Vote was OM director for part of President Trump's first term. And after the 2020 election, he spent the next four years as a key architect of Project 2025, developing a plan to rein in the size and spending of the federal government.And the shutdown has given him a key opportunity to put that plan into action. Joining me now, Atlantic staf ...

you're not. If you're not, you're not old. >> I was there.>> You said it, not me. >> I know we're in day two of the government shutdown. Joining us now with where the administration stands on the latest Treasury Secretary Scott.Scott, it helps to us, Mr. . Secretary. It helps to have seen the moon landing, doesn't it.I mean, isn't there something beneficial about having some experience in life or is it me. >> Joe, I find good to be with you and Becky. I find wisdom's good.I remember when my dad got me up ea ...

[Music] We are back with Maryland Governor Wesmore on a very busy news night. There's so much I wanted to ask you about and you gave that amazing speech this morning in Maryland. The government shutdown, but yesterday also Trump and Hegathth gave what I thought was a bizarre politicized event.They did a bizarre and politicized event in front of four, three, two, one star members of the US military. You were a veteran yourself. One of And there are a couple things that struck me.They talked about fighting a ...

Today wasn't just White House press secretary Caroline Levit at the White House briefing. None other than JD Vance joined her. And frankly, the two of them lied through their teeth on some really important issues that people care about.So, I'm going to take a crack at some of the questions and try to set the record straight. Okay. First question goes to Washington Bureau Chief for Breitbart News, Matt Bole.Why not. There's two key Democrat lies I would like uh to get your take on and see if you can address. ...

Well, Tom Nichols, a former professor at the US Naval War College, wrote in the Atlantic that the question on the minds of the top military commanders after listening to Donald Trump yesterday must have been, "How can I know that an order I receive to launch my missiles came from a sane president?" They won't know. How many flashes of insanity from a president should we tolerate. That sounds like something that deserves a zero tolerance policy.And we have never seen public flashes of insanity from any presi ...

Welcome back. We just heard from a Democratic lawmaker on the government shutdown. Now, let's get the view from the other side of the aisle.Joining me now is Republican Congressman from South Dakota, Dusty Johnson. Thank you so much for joining me. I really appreciate it.You just heard Congresswoman Dean make the case. Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate that you all own this shutdown. What say you.How do you respond to her. Well, Meline and I were elected at the same time. We're ...