#government shutdown

#government shutdown

The government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, 2025, has impacted many federal services, but for those traveling abroad, there shouldn't be a need for concern since passport processing hasn't been affected. Passport processing is part of Consular Affairs, which is considered an essential service. "During the lapse in government funding, consular operations domestically and abroad will remain operational. This includes: passports, visas, [and] assisting American citizens abroad," according to the Department of State website.

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss how President Trump reacted to the No Kings protests by embracing his own "cult of the ruler" in particularly dramatic fashion, whether the shutdown will eventually break enough government functions to force more urgency in negotiations, and why Young Republicans are fawning over Hitler in group chats. Here are some notes and references from this week's show:

Right now, Tucker, a lot of people are happy about the government shutdown, but I really have no respect for the House not being in session. And I have no respect for Speaker Johnson not calling us back to Washington because we should be passing bills, Greene said. The Georgia congresswoman has become more critical of her party's leadership in recent weeks, arguing they are not focused on issues like healthcare costs, home loans, and overall inflation.

After the California Department of Social Services notified counties across the state on Monday that the government shutdown could stall the state's food stamps program CalFresh, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday he will set aside $80 million in emergency funding to support food banks and deploy the California National Guard to assist in food distribution. "Trump's failure isn't abstract - it's literally taking food out of people's mouths," wrote Governor Newsom in a press release on the ongoing shutdown's impact on food assistance.

"I would say [I get them] two or three times a week. Sometimes I get multiple texts in one day. A lot of it is almost catfish, where they tell you you can work from home for x amount of money per week," said Sheree Delice.

According to the latest Gallup poll showing that 48% of Americans consider themselves Democrats, compared to 41% who identify with the Republican Party. Before last year's election, Republicans led Democrats. One curious thing, [CNN data dude] Harry Enten pointed this out this morning, in the first part of this year, the generic ballot Democrats versus Republicans was basically tied, Phillip said. Now, Democrats have an advantage.

On Tuesday, HousingWire's Mortgage Rates Center, which tracks locked loans, showed that 30-year conforming loan locks averaged 6.35% three basis points (bps) lower than a week ago and closer to the 6.32% lowest level of 2025. Jumbo 30-year rates fell 4 bps compared to the prior week to 6.22%, while FHA 30-year loans were down from 6.2% to 6.18%. The government shutdown, which reached its 21st day on Tuesday,

Court documents released Monday show that the Trump administration is exploiting the ongoing government shutdown to pursue mass firings at the US Fish and Wildlife Service amid the nation's worsening extinction crisis. The new filings came as part of a legal fight between the administration and federal worker unions, which took emergency action earlier this month to stop the latest wave of terminations.

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) accused Democrats of pushing a false narrative about President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, but bizarrely cited Alex Acosta as proof of the president's innocence the same man who brokered the disgraced financier's 2008 sweetheart deal. The protest comes as lawmakers, in both parties, have criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for prolonging the shutdown recess to delay a discharge petition that might force a vote on the Epstein files release.

Markets continue to push higher on strong earnings and upgrades. At the moment, Dow futures are up about 23 points. Nasdaq futures are up about three, as the S&P 500 tacks on about two points. All gaining a boost after General Motors ( NYSE: GM) hiked its guidance for the full year and beat earnings expectations. In fact, GM's EPS of $2.80 was better than the $2.31 expected. Revenue of $48.59 billion was better than the estimates of $45.27 billion.

the National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers and sending them to San Francisco will do nothing to get fentanyl off the streets or make our city safer." He added that he would "would welcome stronger coordination with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to execute targeted operations, arrest drug dealers, and disrupt drug markets and multinational cartels.