US Government Shutdown Enters Third Week

US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to pay military personnel despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has resulted in around 750,000 federal employees being furloughed without pay. Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, saying they are holding the military and national security hostage. The Trump administration has also started laying off thousands of government workers, citing reductions in force (RIFs). The layoffs include employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Treasury Department, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO have filed a lawsuit to block the layoff orders, calling them 'disgraceful' and 'illegal'.

The US government shutdown is entering its third week with no resolution in sight. Republicans and Democrats are becoming increasingly estranged, with the administration firing hundreds of bureaucrats to punish Democrats. The shutdown has resulted in hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed, the closure of Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, and a strained air traffic control system. Senate Democrats are refusing to vote for a short-term bill to fund the government until Republicans extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and roll back President Trump's Medicaid cuts. The lack of trust between the parties is exacerbating the deadlock, and neither side has yet landed a decisive political blow.

The article compares President Trump's comments and actions to those of King Henry II, with CNN's Jake Tapper questioning whether Trump's language encourages his supporters to act while maintaining deniability. The article also covers various news stories related to the Trump administration, including efforts to expand presidential authority, a government shutdown, and controversies surrounding various politicians.

The article criticizes Kamala Harris' recent book tour, highlighting her perceived flaws as a candidate, including her inarticulate speech, shifting accents, and lack of self-awareness. It also discusses how the Democratic Party seems to be overlooking these flaws, particularly in female candidates like Katie Porter and Abigail Spanberger, who have their own controversies. The author argues that Harris' behavior and attitudes, as revealed in her book, exemplify the 'girl-boss narrative' of liberal women and are not suitable for leadership.