U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has ordered a senior U.S. Border Patrol official to meet with her daily “to hear about how the day went” after weeks of confrontations between immigration agents and the public in the Chicago area. The immigration sweeps from Operation Midway Blitz have produced more than 1,800 arrests and complaints of excessive force. Ellis also asked Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino to submit by Friday all use-of-force reports from Border Patrol agents involved in the operation from Sept. 2 through Tuesday.
Air traffic controllers are missing another paycheck due to the ongoing government shutdown, raising concerns about financial stress affecting their work. A number of isolated flight delays have been reported since the shutdown began as more controllers call out sick. The Federal Aviation Administration was already short on staff before the shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels emphasize the pressure on controllers. Some are taking second jobs to make ends meet. The shutdown is also hindering efforts to reduce the shortage of controllers. Though pressure is mounting on Congress, Democrats and Republicans have shown little sign of being able to reach a deal to fund the government.
Judge extends order barring the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown
A federal judge in San Francisco has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction that bars the firings while a lawsuit challenging them plays out. She had previously issued a temporary restraining order against the job cuts that was set to expire Wednesday. The Republican administration has been slashing jobs in education, health and other areas it says are favored by Democrats. Lawyers for the government argued personnel issues should be heard in a separate venue.
Federal judge indefinitely bars Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown.
Vice President JD Vance says that he believes U.S. military members will be paid at the end of the week as the Trump administration reconfigures funding in the second-longest government shutdown. The pressure to end the shutdown is taking on new urgency. Rep. Lisa McClain, chair of the House Republican Conference, says "this week, more than any other week, the consequences become impossible to ignore.” Millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance. More federal workers will miss their first full paycheck.
The federal government shutdown is nearing the one-month mark, causing widespread effects for millions of Americans. On Friday, funding for the food assistance program SNAP, which helps 42 million people, is set to run out. The Trump administration has rejected using contingency funds to continue the program. Also on Friday, 1.3 million active-duty service members risk missing paychecks unless a funding deal is reached. On Saturday, over 130 Head Start preschool programs may not receive grants.
Food banks and pantries are preparing for a surge in demand if federal food aid is paused this weekend from the government shutdown. They were already struggling after federal program cuts this year. Now, SNAP benefits are set to pause Nov. 1. It’s the latest in a string of hardships placed on charitable food services. Food banks and pantries across the country are concerned about meeting the growing need left in the wake of that pause. Some states are trying to fill the gap, but others lack resources to help.
U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with Japan's newly elected, ultraconservative leader in Tokyo. The meeting comes on one of the busiest days of his Asia trip, which will include speaking to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingling with business leaders. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may look to build a personal connection with Trump to ease trade tensions. Trump spent Sunday in Malaysia as part of his ongoing trip through Asia to discuss mostly trade with world leaders, aiming to highlight America’s influence on the global economy.
Federal funds could begin running dry on Saturday that help tens of millions of Americans buy food for their families and send their toddlers to preschool if the government shutdown persists. If Congress doesn’t reach a deal by Saturday to resolve the shutdown, benefits could also run out for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. Starting Nov. 1, a total of 140 Head Start preschool programs also could miss their federal funding payments under the shutdown. States could also run out of money as early as Nov. 8 for another food aid program supporting millions of low-income mothers and young kids called WIC.
Notices of rising health insurance premiums are landing in voters’ mailboxes and sending some to town halls to vent their frustration. Republicans have offered few answers, saying they won’t negotiate until Democrats end the shutdown. The moment revives a familiar dynamic in a the Republican Party that is united in opposing the Affordable Care Act but still without a clear plan to replace it. The lack of a plan to address to rising costs risks political backlash for Republicans in next year's midterms. Democrats have said tax credits that kept the costs lower should be extended and refused to reopen the government until they are.