Shutdown layoffs begin; Trump says a 100% tariff is coming for Chinese goods
Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Rcrd90443 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.
Trump is heading to the Middle East this weekend for the formal signing of the ceasefire deal he helped broker between Israel and Hamas.
What to know today
- MASS FEDERAL LAYOFFS: The Trump administration said in a court filing that it has begun laying off more than 4,000 federal workers amid the government shutdown, fulfilling a threat from the administration if Congress didn’t pass a government funding bill. The layoffs go beyond the temporary furloughs that typically occur during shutdown periods.
- TRUMP CHECKUP: President Donald Trump received what he called a "semi-annual physical" today at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House physician said in a one-page memo that Trump, who received a Covid vaccine booster and a flu shot, "remains in exceptional health."
- MIDDLE EAST TRIP: Trump is planning to depart Sunday on a trip to the Middle East for the formal signing of the ceasefire deal he helped broker between Israel and Hamas. The president said he would "probably be there" when the remaining hostages in Gaza are released Monday or Tuesday.
We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now or someone who is feeling the effects of shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at tips@nbcuni.com or reach out to us here.
White House adds a George Washington statue to the Rose Garden
The White House this week added a large George Washington statue to the Rose Garden at the specific request of Trump, according to a federal official and one White House official.
The bronze statue, which belongs to the National Park Service, was moved from the Washington Monument to its new location during the government shutdown.
The 1992 statue is a reproduction made from a cast of the original white marble statue that resides in the Virginia State Capitol, according to the White House official. The original marble statue was made by French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon and is believed to be the only one of Washington done from a life mask.
The bronze version had been visible to the public until recently, with about 250,000 people visiting the Washington Monument each year. It was installed during a renovation in the late 1990s.
Trump critic and former national security adviser John Bolton to be charged soon, sources say
John Bolton, a former national security adviser to Trump turned prominent critic of the president, is expected to be charged with federal crimes soon, according to two federal officials with knowledge of the investigation.
One of the officials said Bolton could be indicted next week. The other said he could be indicted soon.
Trump gets Covid vaccine and flu shot during second check-up of the year
The White House released a memo today from Trump’s physician summarizing his visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center earlier in the day, which included a Covid vaccine booster and a flu shot.
Trump’s doctor, Sean P. Barbarella, said in the one-page document that Trump “remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance.”
Trump’s visit to Walter Reed was described in the memo as a “scheduled follow-up,” which White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday had characterized as a “his routine yearly check-up” — despite being Trump’s second such visit after undergoing an annual physical exam in April.
The memo said today's check-up was part of Trump’s “ongoing health maintenance plan.” The president underwent “advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventative health assessments,” his physician wrote.
Deed of trust details loan N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James received for Virginia property
New York Attorney General Letitia James obtained a loan for $109,600 with a 30-year mortgage term, requiring the loan to be paid off no later than Sept. 1, 2050, according to a deed of trust for a property James' owns in Norfolk, Virginia obtained by NBC News.
The deed also included a second home rider for the property, which was signed by James and dated Aug. 17, 2020.
The second home rider stated that the “borrower will occupy and use the property as borrower’s second home," and maintain "exclusive control over the occupancy of the property, including short-term rentals."
The rider also bars using the property for "any timesharing or other shared ownership arrangement or to any rental pool or agreement that requires borrower either to rent the property or give a management firm or any other person or entity any control over the occupancy or use of the property.”
James purchased the property for $137,000, according to another deed obtained by NBC News. NBC News reported earlier today that James allegedly saved roughly $50 monthly when she received a lower-cost loan on a home by classifying it as a secondary residence instead of an investment property.
James has denied wrongdoing.
Trump administration begins laying off more than 4,000 federal workers amid government shutdown, court filing shows
The Trump administration today began laying off more than 4,000 federal workers, according to a court filing, as the government remains shut down due to the inability of Congress to reach a funding deal.
Reduction-in-force notices are being sent to federal workers across seven departments, with the Treasury Department and Department of Health and Human Services being the hardest hit and accounting for more than half of the total layoffs, according to a new Justice Department filing.
The court filing is in response to a lawsuit over the shutdown layoffs from the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO.
Other affected agencies include the departments of Homeland Security, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump announces deal with U.K. pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca
Trump announced an agreement with the U.K.-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to lower drug prices for Americans.
Speaking from a lectern in the Oval Office, Trump called the deal “another historic achievement in our quest to lower drug prices.”
He was joined by Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Similar to the deal with Pfizer announced last month, Trump said AstraZeneca will offer its prescription medications to Medicaid at a most-favored-nation price, offer many of its drugs direct to consumers on TrumpRX.gov and invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years for research and development and manufacturing.
Trump says he spoke by phone with Nobel Peace Prize winner
Trump said this evening in the Oval Office that he spoke by phone with Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
When asked by a reporter for his reaction to Machado's win today, Trump said that Machado had called him and told him she was accepting the award "in honor of you because you really deserved it."
"A very nice thing to do. I didn’t say, 'Then give it to me.' Though, I think she might have," Trump said, garnering laughter in the Oval Office.
"You could also say it was given out for '24 and I was running for office in '24 you know," Trump added. "But there are those that say we did so much that they should have done it."
Trump has repeatedly bemoaned not being honored with the award and has suggested that he deserves it for his peacemaking efforts worldwide. His supporters have begun pushing for him to be awarded the prize in 2026.
Trump says he will award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom next week
Trump said he will posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday night.
The medal is the highest civilian award. Trump said Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, will be in attendance at the White House event.
Trump said the award ceremony will take place shortly after he returns from his Middle East trip.
Trump says mass government layoffs will be 'Democrat-oriented'
Trump said that the reductions in force across the federal government will be “Democrat-oriented,” adding that his administration will announce the number of layoffs in the next couple of days. He warned that it will be “a lot.”
“It will be Democrat oriented, because we figure, you know, they started this thing, so they should be Democrat-oriented. It’ll be a lot, and we’ll announce the numbers over the next couple of days, but it’ll be a lot of people, all because of the Democrats,” Trump said in response to a question in the Oval Office about how many layoffs he has authorized and from which agencies.
“These are largely people that the Democrats want. Many of them will be fired,” Trump added.
Trump says 'I haven't canceled' trade meeting with China's Xi Jinping
Trump said this evening that he hasn't canceled a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping where the two leaders are expected to announce a trade deal.
"No, I haven’t canceled," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when he was asked whether he had called off the meeting. "But I don’t know that we’re going to have it, but I’m going to be there regardless. So I would assume we might have it."
Trump asserted in a Truth Social post earlier today that China has grown “very hostile” on trade issues.
“I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so,” Trump wrote.
Trump says he will hike China tariffs to 100%
Trump said that he would be imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting Nov. 1, a move that reinvigorates a once-cooling trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Earlier in the day, Trump said he was "calculating" a "massive" increase to China's current tariff rate. Right now, goods imported from China face duties of around 40%.
Trump also said the U.S. would " impose export controls on any and all critical software."
For Trump world, the focus shifts to next year’s Nobel Peace Prize
Wait ‘til next year.
The public push to make Donald Trump the winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize began within hours of the committee’s announcement Friday that the honoree this year is Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader.
Snubbed by the Nobel selection committee, Trump should be the clear front-runner for the prize next year, given the breakthrough he reached toward ending the war in Gaza, his supporters said.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., said Friday he would introduce a resolution in Congress saying Trump deserves the honor.
Smithsonian museums, including National Zoo, to shut down beginning Sunday
The Smithsonian confirmed that its facilities, including the National Zoo, will be temporarily shuttered Sunday amid the shutdown.
"Due to the government shutdown, Smithsonian museums are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with our research centers and the National Zoo," the Smithsonian posted on X today.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins says she opposes Trump administration's government layoffs
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she opposes the Trump administration’s attempt to permanently lay off federal workers. In a statement, Collins placed the blame for the shutdown on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but called out the administration’s Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought for the reductions in force that an OMB spokesperson told NBC News earlier today “have begun and are substantial.”
“Regardless of whether federal employees have been working without pay or have been furloughed, their work is incredibly important to serving the public,” Collins said.
“Arbitrary layoffs result in a lack of sufficient personnel needed to conduct the mission of the agency and to deliver essential programs, and cause harm to families in Maine and throughout our country,” she added.
Trump to address Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday
Trump is expected to travel to Israel on Sunday evening and will address the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday, according to a White House official.
After that, he will travel to Egypt to participate in a signing ceremony on the Gaza peace deal, the official said. Trump is also planning to gather with other world leaders while there, but those details are still being finalized.
The president is then expected to return to Washington.
Vance visits Indianapolis to push redistricting
Vice President JD Vance is in Indianapolis today as Indiana faces pressure from the White House to redraw their congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms despite hesitation from state lawmakers.
GOP Gov. Mike Braun thanked Vance for today’s visit to the state, writing on X, “We discussed redistricting and the importance of ensuring fair representation for every Hoosier.”
This is the third time top White House officials have met with Indiana GOP lawmakers to lobby on the issue. Vance first traveled to Indiana in August to privately meet with Braun about what was widely expected to be redistricting matters. Three weeks later, Indiana GOP lawmakers visited the White House. Vance’s second visit to the state comes as state lawmakers continue to weigh the issue.
Indiana GOP Sen. Jim Banks accompanied the vice president on Air Force 2 to the Hoosier state, posting pictures of their arrival together on X.
OMB says 'substantial' government layoffs have started
A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget confirmed to NBC News that reductions in force, also known as RIFs, for federal employees “have begun and are substantial.”
The OMB did not provide details on what agencies have been affected by layoffs.
“It’s deeply unfortunate that thousands of federal workers will be laid off as a result of the Democrat shutdown," a White House official told NBC News.
The legality of layoffs during a government shutdown is unclear. According to the OMB, government agencies deciding who might be impacted by a RIF must consider factors including seniority, length of appointment and veteran status. Employees also must be provided with 60 days' notice.
Speaker Mike Johnson extends House district work period for another week
Johnson has designated all of next week as a district work period, meaning the House will not be in session at all.
The announcement was made during the House’s pro forma session, though Johnson was not presiding. As of now, the House is next scheduled to be in session on Monday, Oct. 20.
The House speaker has said the House will return only after the Senate approves the House-passed CR. The House was last in session on Sept. 19. Members of the chamber were scheduled to be back in Washington this week, but last week, Johnson made a similar announcement, canceling votes in the House this week.
Thune says it's possible Trump finds a way to pay troops during shutdown
During a news conference on Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he thinks the White House is "probably" going to do something to ensure that veterans won't miss a paycheck next week because of the government shutdown.
“I suspect that they’re probably going to be, yeah, pretty soon, they’re going to have to do some things," he said when asked if he’s anticipating the Trump administration to do anything to provide pay to troops.
The majority leader blamed the prospect of troops going unpaid on Senate Democrats who have not voted with Republicans on a GOP-backed bill to temporarily fund the government through Nov. 21.
"The White House has now for 10 days laid off doing anything in hopes that enough Senate Democrats would come to their senses and do the right thing and fund the government. But now that we’re getting where people are going to start missing paychecks, this gets real," Thune said.
Later, he also confirmed that there are conversations happening behind the scenes about making a deal to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year.
"There’s an interest on both sides in doing that. And, yeah, a conversation about what we do on the expiring enhanced ACA subsidies, and there’s a lot of conversations going on around that, but that doesn’t happen until we get the government open," Thune said.
House Democrats to hold caucus meeting on Tuesday
House Democrats will hold an in-person caucus meeting on Tuesday, according to three sources familiar with the plans.
This comes as House Republicans officially canceled being in session on that day. Members have been told that they will receive 48 hours’ notice before they need to return to D.C., and Johnson has insisted the House will only return once the Senate approves the House-passed continuing resolution.
“Republicans in the House have decided to remain on vacation,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said during his press conference Friday. “Republicans canceled votes last week, they canceled votes this week, and now they’ve canceled votes next week. They’re not serious about reopening the government.”
Democrats held a call at noon today, where the meeting was announced.
Stocks suffering worst day since April after Trump warns of potential "massive" China tariffs
U.S. stocks are tumbling to fresh lows of the day after Trump warned on Truth Social that he is considering "massive" new tariffs on China after the world's second-largest economic power restricted exports of rare earths.
Rare earths are used in everything from making phone screens to building EVs and wind turbines.
The S&P 500, often a feature of Americans' 401(k) retirement accounts, sank more than 2%. That would be its worst day since the tariff-induced sell-offs of mid-April.
The Nasdaq Composite, which contains many major tech companies that do business and manufacturing in China, tumbled 2.8%.
Melania Trump says she’s working with Putin on reuniting abducted Ukrainian children
First lady Melania Trump said Friday that she has been working with Russian President Vladimir Putin on reuniting Ukrainian children who were believed to be kidnapped into Russia during the war.
Speaking from the White House, she referred to a letter sent to Putin in August regarding children affected by the war, and said that he wrote back “signaling a willingness to engage with me directly.”
“President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children,” the first lady said. “For the past three months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls, all in good faith. My representative has been working directly with President Putin’s team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine.”
Trump said that in the last 24 hours, eight children were reunified with their families.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces charges over threat to conservative activist
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that a California man has been charged with sending a threatening letter to conservative activist Benny Johnson after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
"The author of this letter made it very clear he hated Benny because of his views and wanted him dead," Bondi said, describing the contents of the letter as "horrific."
Bondi announced the arrest at a press conference in Florida, where Johnson also spoke and blamed Democrats for political violence in the country.
"The violence has been mainstreamed by the Democrat Party. It is not extremist. It is mainstream. We need a moment of reckoning here," Johnson said.
Bondi agreed the person who sent the letter was a "left-wing radical," but acknowledged there's political violence on both sides of the aisle and said the DOJ would combat such threats "no matter who you are."
Bondi said the letter writer has been charged with mailing threatening communications and would be prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida. A criminal complaint was not immediately available.
Letitia James saved only about $50 a month with lower interest rate, indictment alleges
The grand jury indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses her of receiving a lower-cost loan on a home she purchased in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 17, 2020, by misrepresenting it as a secondary residence when it was an investment property.
The case, brought on Thursday by Lindsey Halligan, the acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges that James improperly obtained a fixed-rate conventional mortgage at an interest rate of 3% by saying the house was a “secondary residence.” The indictment alleges that James instead used the house as a “rental investment property,” which prosecutors said should have carried a mortgage rate of 3.815% at the time.
The indictment states, “this misrepresentation allowed James to obtain favorable loan terms not available for investment properties,” and, as a result, she stood to save “approximately $17,837” over the life of the loan. The indictment does not describe the term of the mortgage loan, but a clerk at the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s office told NBC News that it was a 30-year loan.
In the five years since James received the loan, based on the government’s allegations, she has paid about $594 less in interest per year, or roughly $50 less per month, than she would have had she characterized the purchase as an investment property.
James strongly denied the charges in a statement that she also read in a video on X.
“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she said. "The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order and have drawn sharp criticism from members of both parties.”
House cancels Tuesday session, pressuring Senate to act on short-term funding bill
The House has officially canceled its scheduled session on Tuesday, according to notices sent to members.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House will return only after the Senate approves the House-passed GOP short-term spending bill. Most Democrats in the Senate have voted against the bill and have said they want the funding measure to address Obamacare subsidies that are expiring at the end of the year.
House members will be given 48 hours' notice on when they need to return to Washington.
The House was last in session on Sept. 19.
First on NBC: Sinclair says it pulled Kimmel's show without government 'influence'
Sinclair, one of the two broadcast station owners that briefly pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air last month amid an uproar over his comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, told a group of Democratic senators that it made that decision “independently and without any government interaction or influence,” according to a letter first seen by NBC News.
“While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations,” Sinclair said in a letter to Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.
NBC News first reported last month that the four Democratic lawmakers had asked Sinclair and another broadcast station owner, Nexstar, how their decisions to nix airings of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” may “relate to regulatory issues pending with the Trump administration.”
“If you suspended a late-night comedian’s show in part to seek regulatory favors from the administration, you have not only assisted the administration in eroding First Amendment freedoms but also create the appearance of a possible quid-pro-quo arrangement that could implicate federal anti-corruption laws,” the lawmakers wrote.
Nexstar and Sinclair both have pending business before the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, which regulates the broadcast television industry and other key media platforms. Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for a proposed $6.2 billion merger with a rival, Tegna. Sinclair is exploring merger options for its broadcast business, according to CNBC.
Nexstar confirmed to Warren’s office that it received the letter, but it has not responded to the lawmakers’ questions, a spokeswoman for Warren said.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to the air on Sept. 23 after a five-day suspension, drawing record ratings.
Speaker Johnson blames Democrats for pending lapse in troop pay
During a press conference on Capitol Hill this morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other GOP leaders blamed Democrats for the impact of the government shutdown on military pay, which will lapse next week unless federal funding is restored.
“Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck if Democrats don’t end this shutdown by Monday," Johnson said.
Johnson added that Trump "is working on ways that he may have as well to ensure that troops are paid," but didn't elaborate on what that option might be.
"The Republican Party stands for paying the troops," Johnson said. "The Democrats are the ones that are demonstrating over and over and over now eight times that they don’t want troops to be paid.”
The Senate has held eight votes on Democratic and Republican short-term spending bills, but those measures have failed to advance. Democrats are demanding a funding bill include an extension of expiring Obamacare subsidies, while Republicans have proposed just including current funding levels, without addressing the subsidies.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., also criticized Democrats for the funding impasse.
“We know roughly at least 1 in 3 of every service member in America lives paycheck to paycheck," he said at the morning news conference. "Now, should they get solace in knowing that they’re risking their lives, some of them overseas, while their families are here, and on Monday, when we get to the date where paychecks would be cut, the government will still be shut down, and they won’t even be getting a paycheck?”
Some Democratic House lawmakers have called on Johnson to bring the House back into session to vote on a bill to allow troops to be paid throughout the shutdown. The speaker is refusing to do so, saying troops will be paid if Senate Democrats vote for a House-passed GOP short-term spending bill to reopen the government.
Trump administration appeals ruling blocking troop deployment in Illinois
The Trump administration has appealed U.S. District Judge April Perry's ruling temporarily blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said that the administration would not cease from efforts to bolster federal operations by mobilizing troops.
“Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders like [Gov. JB] Pritzker have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets," Jackson said in a statement. "President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court.”
In her ruling, Perry cited findings by other courts in recent days that the Department of Homeland Security was using "unreliable evidence" in its accounts of criminal activity, casting “significant doubt" on its assertions about what is happening in Chicago.
Trump accidentally posted message pressuring Pam Bondi to charge his enemies, source says
Trump intended his recent Truth Social post imploring Attorney General Pam Bondi to take legal action against his opponents as a direct message, according to a Trump administration official.
Trump was surprised to learn he had actually posted the message to his Truth Social account, the source said, adding that the president reacted by saying “Oh,” and then tried to shrug it off.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump meant the post as a direct message.
The lengthy post on Sept. 20 addressed Bondi as “Pam” and expressed frustration that “nothing is being done” to his foes.
“What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia???” he wrote, referring to former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
White House says Nobel committee places 'politics over peace'
White House communications director Steven Cheung lashed out at the committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize after it gave the award this morning to Maria Corina Machada of Venezuela.
Trump had repeatedly made clear that he wanted to win the prize for his various peacemaking efforts.
“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives," Cheung wrote in a post on X. "He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will. The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace."
The Norwegian Nobel Committee granted this year’s award to Venezuelan opposition leader Machado, citing “courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist” authoritarian leadership.
Trump plans to depart for Middle East on Sunday
Trump said yesterday that he is planning to leave for the Middle East on Sunday and will “probably be there” when the remaining hostages in Gaza are released on Monday or Tuesday.
"I think it’s going to be great," Trump said. "The hostages will be coming back Monday or Tuesday." He added, "I hope to be there, and we’re planning on leaving sometime Sunday, and I look forward to it."
Trump said during his Cabinet meeting yesterday that he plans to travel to Egypt for an official signing of the ceasefire deal.
Trump also said later yesterday afternoon that “nobody’s going to be forced to leave” Gaza under the ceasefire plan and that an international stabilization force is “to be determined” and will be funded by “rich countries,” which senior U.S. officials said would include 200 personnel from U.S. Central Command.
"Everybody’s celebrating. Everybody loves the deal," Trump added. "So it’s a great honor to have been working on it. And as you know, it’s all finalized and done.
Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment in Illinois
A federal judge granted Chicago and Illinois a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration, which court documents show had deployed 200 Texas troops to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. Judge April Parry said in court that the National Guard would “only add fuel to the fire that the defendants themselves have started.” NBC’s Maggie Vespa reports for "TODAY."
Trump to go to Walter Reed this morning
The president is going to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today for what he said would be a "semiannual physical."
"I’m meeting with the troops, and I’m also going to do a sort of semiannual physical, which I do, and I think I’m in great shape, but I’ll let you know," Trump said yesterday. "But no, I have no difficulty thus far."
"Physically, I feel very good. Mentally, I feel very good. You know, I did about six, seven months ago," he said, referring to his last visit to Walter Reed on April 11. "I do physicals. I like to when I’m around, I like to check. Always early, always be early; it’s a lesson for a lot of people. But I also did a cognitive exam — which is always very risky, because if I didn’t do well, you’d be the first to be blaring it — and I had a perfect score."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday characterized the visit as "his routine yearly checkup," adding that the president was "considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter."
Trump underwent laboratory and diagnostic tests during his physical in April, which found largely normal results, a memo from White House physician Sean Barbabella said.
These Pennsylvania court races are usually sleepy. This year, they’re drawing millions in spending.
Three state Supreme Court justices are on the ballot in Pennsylvania next month in a typically under-the-radar vote that could have far-reaching implications in the critical battleground state.
The justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, who are all backed by the Democratic Party — are facing an up-or-down “retention” election, meaning voters choose whether to keep them on the court for another 10 years.
Few Pennsylvania justices have lost their jobs in this way. But with Democrats’ 5-2 Supreme Court majority at stake ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections, this year’s retention vote is drawing big money and attention. If all three justices were to lose, Pennsylvania’s high court could be deadlocked 2-2 through the end of 2027.
“This is without question the most important retention election in Pennsylvania history,” said Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “Reproductive freedom, free and fair elections, quality education, and a clean environment — they are all in the ballot.”
Court rulings, anti-ICE protests, Democrats: What the Trump administration sees as ‘insurrection’
Trump and his administration have ramped up a specific rhetorical attack on their perceived opponents, casting Democrats and others as fomenting “insurrection.”
Trump and one of his top lieutenants, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have used the word to describe a handful of groups and events in recent weeks — court rulings against the administration, protesters in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, violence against immigration officers, liberal groups they’ve accused of fomenting violence and even Democrats themselves.
Trump and a top adviser’s use of the word is significant as he considers invoking the Insurrection Act — an 1807 law last used 30 years ago — that would allow him to send active duty troops to conduct law enforcement operations such as searches and arrests in American cities. NBC News reported this week that Trump administration officials have seriously discussed invoking the act, according to five people with knowledge of the talks.
