Happy Halloween and good morning from Washington DC! I’ll be providing updates for a few days before embarking on a journey across the US. It’s almost the anniversary of the 2024 election, and I’ll be speaking with people nationwide to gauge their sentiments about the past year. Stay tuned for more insights.
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On Halloween, Trump and Melania donned costumes resembling themselves and distributed candies to children at the White House. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the first family carried out this tradition. As the shutdown persists, Trump faces mounting pressure to resolve the situation, as it nears a record duration.
The shutdown originated from budget disputes between Republicans and Democrats, with Trump advocating for drastic measures to break the impasse. The potential use of the “Nuclear Option” to eliminate the filibuster rule has been suggested by Trump. However, the implications of such a decision are significant for both political parties, as it could impact their policy agendas.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has announced a reduction in the refugee cap to 7,500 individuals annually, primarily targeting white South Africans. This decision has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that it violates federal laws and neglects other refugee populations in need.
In another development, a military briefing on Trump’s actions concerning Venezuelan drug boats excluded Democratic senators, prompting backlash from the opposition. The decision to withhold information from Democrats has raised concerns about transparency and oversight of military actions.
Elsewhere, Katie Miller, Stephen Miller’s wife, faced scrutiny during a televised discussion, where she was accused of dishonesty. The exchange highlighted tensions and differing viewpoints on political discourse.
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Mikey Smith, the Mirror’s Deputy Political Editor (Sunday), provides insights from Westminster.
