White House meeting on possible government shutdown
The top four congressional leaders were due to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House today as Washington works to avoid a looming government shutdown. Trump’s meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer comes as government funding is set to run out tomorrow night, with both sides remaining dug in on their positions. Although each shutdown differs, analysts say this would be unlike any federal funding crunch before. Trump and the White House Office of Management and Budget have signaled a new approach — urging agencies to reduce staff in unfunded programs that don’t align with the president’s priorities and threatening mass layoffs.
Pushback on Trump’s National Guard plan
President Trump said that he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities he claimed are “under siege.” This comes as protests have been staged outside of an ICE building near downtown Portland had been at the center of protests throughout the summer. Most of the demonstrations have been peaceful but law enforcement has on occasion used tear gas against demonstrators. State and local leaders have pushed back against Trump’s characterization of the situation, arguing that federal intervention is unnecessary. Portland and the state of Oregon have filed suit to block the use of the military. Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in June and to Washington, D.C., but has not fulfilled his threats to send troops to several other Democratic-led cities, such as Memphis, Baltimore and Chicago.
Church attack in Michigan
A church attack in Michigan has left at least four people dead and multiple others injured, including children. Police say a man crashed his truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, where hundreds of people were attending Sunday services. The suspect began shooting with an assault rifle and then used gasoline to set a fire that grew into a large blaze. Authorities said the shooter died during an exchange of gunfire with police. The suspect was identified as a 40-year-old U.S. Marine Veteran who served in the Iraq War. A Marine Corps spokesperson told CNN the man served as a sergeant and received several medals for his service, which lasted from 2004 to 2008. The shooter’s motive is still unknown.
Waterfront bar shooting
Another 40-year-old Marine veteran is in custody today after allegedly shooting and killing three people and injuring eight others at a waterfront bar in Southport, North Carolina. It’s alleged that the Marine, Nigel Edge, who received a Purple Heart for his service in Iraq, pulled up to the waterfront bar by boat and started shooting. People were enjoying the warm weather and music on an outdoor deck at the American Fish Company in Southport when gunshots rang out. Police think Edge acted alone and said the attack was “highly premeditated.” Edge was taken into custody when the U.S. Coast Guard encountered his boat after the attack, according to a local police official.
Storm watch for East Coast
Tropical Storm Imelda is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves off the Southeast coast this week, threatening coastal flooding and beach erosion from Florida through the Carolinas. At the same time, Hurricane Humberto, which briefly intensified into a rare Category 5 storm on Saturday, remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Its massive circulation just east of Imelda will compound the hazards for U.S. beaches this week, driving deadly rip currents and big waves along much of the East Coast. Even though Imelda’s center is expected to stay well offshore, it could bring rainfall totals of up to 6 inches along the coastal Carolinas through tomorrow, raising the risk of flash flooding.
Gaza under discussion by Trump and Netanyahu
President Trump has promised “something special” is coming on Gaza as Israeli officials say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reservations about the White House’s 21-point ceasefire and post-war governance plan. Trump said that Netanyahu was “on board” wth the U.S. plan. The two leaders’ White House discussion has been billed as being high-stakes. Trump projected optimism on Sunday as his administration works to complete a comprehensive plan that would include the release of all hostages held by Hamas. On the other hand, Netanyahu was expected to push for changes, three Israeli officials said Sunday, underscoring the difficulty of finalizing a deal.
