President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would be meeting with Democrat congressional leaders to discuss government funding ahead of the upcoming deadline.

Trump explained negotiations might be futile since Democrats were “afraid to approve anything” he might suggest. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer countered, saying the president had “no plan to lower costs for hardworking Americans, or stop cuts to healthcare, veterans, and Social Security.” 

The leaders’ remarks underscore the challenges ahead as Congress and the White House need to come up with a plan to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30. Read Full Story

• The Washington Free Beacon: DC Police Sergeant Exposed Superiors for Misclassifying Crimes to Make Stats Look Low
• The Hill: GOP Senator on DC Carjacking Fears: ‘I Don’t Buckle Up’
• Washington Examiner: Putin Weighs Arms Control Agreements Amid Trump’s ‘Energetic’ Efforts to End Ukraine War
• The Daily Caller: Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump Admin to Withhold Billions in Foreign Aid Funds
• The Federalist: DHS Debunks Media Lies About ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The decision by state Democrat representatives to flee Texas over Republican congressional redistricting plans has ratcheted up tensions and started a new phase in the redistricting war around the country. 

Democrat Govs. Gavin Newsom of California and New York’s Kathy Hochul responded by threatening to explore options to redraw their own districts to give Democrats more seats in Congress. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas House Democrats had “abandoned their duty to Texans” and  ordered the arrest of “delinquent” Democrats, threatening to strip lawmakers who failed to return to the state Capitol of their seats. Read Full Story

• The Daily Caller: Dems Protest Gerrymandering — by Fleeing to Illinois
• The Federalist: It Won’t End Well for Texas Dems Fleeing Their Duties. Just Ask Wisconsin Liberals
• The Washington Free Beacon: Texas Dems Fight Gerrymandering by Taking 76-Seat Private Jet to Gerrymandered Blue State
• Washington Examiner: Stefanik Torches Hochul as ‘Worst Governor in America’ After ‘Pathetic’ Press Conference
• The Washington Times: DOJ Launches Grand Jury Probe of Russiagate Hoax

Senate Republicans, frustrated with Democrats’ refusal to fast-track any of President Donald Trump’s nominees, are considering last-ditch options for ending the blockade, including changing the chamber’s rules or allowing recess appointments.

Their first choice is to cut a deal with Democrats to advance some of the growing backlog of nominations by voice vote or unanimous consent.

Such fast-track deals have been made for batches of nominees with bipartisan support in prior administrations, but Democrats have refused to do so for any of  Trump’s second-term nominees outside of military promotions.

“We have never seen in history anything like what the Democrats are now doing,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune. “As of this date, back in 2021, Joe Biden had gotten 46 nominees confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. Donald Trump has zero.

“It’s Trump derangement syndrome on steroids,” the South Dakota Republican said. Read Full Story

• Washington Examiner: Trump Handed Huge Win as Economy Roars Back in Second Quarter
• National Review: Lee Zeldin’s EPA Liberates American Industry
• The Federalist: House Intel Chair: Declassified Docs Show Obama-Directed Psyop
• The Hill: Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus Requests Meeting With Trump on Immigration, Debt
• The Daily Caller: Kevin McCarthy: ‘Weak’ Schumer, Jeffries Opened Door for ‘Socialist Wing’ Takeover