Good morning from Washington DC on this Halloween day. I’ll be covering news here for a couple of days before traveling across the US. With the one-year anniversary of the 2024 election approaching next Wednesday, I aim to gauge public sentiment on whether people have regrets or are content with the current situation.
Moving on to the latest in Trumpworld, the Mirror has unveiled a new US Politics WhatsApp community for updates on Trump’s activities. This platform will provide breaking news and exclusive content directly to your phone. To join, simply click on the provided link, select ‘Join Chat,’ and you’re in. Community members will also receive special offers and promotions from us and our partners, with the option to exit the group anytime.
In other news, Trump and Melania celebrated Halloween by dressing up as themselves and distributing sweets to children on the White House lawn. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the first family carried out this Halloween tradition. The shutdown, now lasting over a month, originated from budget disputes in Congress, where Republicans, at Trump’s urging, proposed cuts to social spending and healthcare credits.
The Senate faces challenges reaching a resolution due to the filibuster tactic used by Democrats to delay proceedings. Trump has urged Republicans to consider extreme measures, like the Nuclear Option, to overcome this deadlock. Meanwhile, the plight of government workers, including essential personnel like troops and air traffic controllers, remains unresolved amidst the shutdown.
Additionally, the Trump administration’s decision to reduce the refugee intake cap to 7,500 annually has sparked controversy, particularly for prioritizing white South Africans. This move, without consulting Congress, has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers for defying federal laws and moral standards.
On a different note, the exclusion of Democrats from a military briefing on Trump’s actions in Venezuela raised concerns about transparency and bipartisan involvement in national security decisions. The ongoing political landscape also saw contentious exchanges, such as Katie Miller’s appearance on a talk show where accusations of dishonesty and anti-Semitism were exchanged.
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