Monday is the 6th day of the government shutdown, with the Senate due to hold another vote on a short-term funding bill. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said layoffs among federal workers could begin soon if talks with Democrats to reopen the government fail to make progress. However, he said, the Trump administration remains hopeful that a deal can be reached before that happens.
President Donald Trump said on Oct. 5 that there have been “positive discussions” with the Hamas terrorist group and with several Middle Eastern countries on a peace plan to end the war in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages—but warned that Israel and Hamas must move fast to finalize the deal. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the first phase of the peace plan is expected to be completed this week, but cautioned that any delay in finalizing the plan could lead to “massive bloodshed.”…