Monday, Oct. 27
SNAP benefits cut Nov. 1 during government shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits end November 1. The notification comes after the Trump administration said it would not use the $5 billion emergency fund to maintain federal food aid during the government shutdown.
SNAP benefits are utilized by 1 in 8 Americans to buy groceries, according to the Associated Press. Some states have offered to cover the cost of benefits until the federal government reopens. Other states have advised those receiving benefits to locate food pantries and aid organizations in their area.
The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers are blaming the Democrats for the cuts to SNAP benefits because the Republicans say the Democrats are holding out to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, extending the government shutdown.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
Trump changes ICE leadership
The Trump administration is reassigning 12 of the field office directors at Immigration and Customs Enforcement according to AP. An anonymous source and current official told the AP that Trump is making major changes to the leadership of the organization that has become a major part of his presidency.
Half of the top leaders at ICE are allegedly going to be replaced by current or retired officials of Customs and Border Protection, and the others may be replaced by current and former ICE officers. Some of the cities where officials have been reassigned are Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, which have all been targets of Trump’s immigration enforcement plans. This is the third major personnel change within ICE since President Donald Trump took office.
The reason for the reassignments hasn’t been specified by the Trump administration; however, according to AP, it may be to integrate more Border Patrol agents into ICE. The AP said the CBP and Border Patrol agents have carried out some of the most aggressive immigration crackdowns across the country and have been accused of using excessive force on raids and arrests.
Thursday, Oct. 30
Trump talks nuclear weapons testing
On Thursday, Trump made an announcement on social media that suggested the U.S. might resume nuclear weapons testing on an “equal basis” with Russia and China. This would be the first time in 30 years the U.S. has tested these weapons due to the treaty banning nuclear tests, according to the AP.
Trump made the post on social media shortly before meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and offered little clarity to reporters on Air Force One on his way home. North Korea has been the only country that has violated the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since its adoption, but Russian officials seemed to suggest if the U.S. resumed nuclear testing, it would too.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on Trump to refrain from carrying out these nuclear tests and honor the agreements in the treaty.
The Washington-based Arms Control Association Executive Director Daryl Kimball quickly went to social media, concerned Trump’s comments were “misinformed” and there is no reason to resume testing.
Friday, Oct. 31
Trump calls to end the filibuster
Trump is calling on the U.S. Senate to get rid of the filibuster so Republicans can bypass the Democrats and end the government shutdown. Eliminating the filibuster would end a long-standing tradition in Congress that allows representatives to delay or block a vote by making long speeches.
Trump said during his trip to Asia last week, where he met with foreign leaders, he kept getting questions about why his Republican party allowed the Democrats to shut down the government, according to AP. It’s unclear whether Republicans will follow Trump’s direction to end the filibuster or introduce negotiations with Democrats.
The shutdown could potentially become the longest in American history, with the previous record also being held by Trump for a 35-day stop during his first term. Election Day on Tuesday could provide grounds for renegotiation in Congress after representatives assess their standings with voters.
