A deadly tornado that tore across southeastern North Dakota this summer has been upgraded to an EF5 with winds topping 200 mph (322 kph), the strongest classification of tornado and the first on American soil in 12 years, meteorologists said Monday.

The June 20 twister in Enderlin caused significant damage and killed three people. At its largest, the tornado was 1.05 miles wide (1.69 kilometers) and carved a path across the prairie for just over 12 miles (19 kilometers).

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks estimated the tornado's winds reached 210 mph (338 kph), according to the newly released analysis. The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado in Oklahoma holds the record of the strongest winds ever recorded at 321 mph (517 kph).

Since the National Weather Service began using Enhanced Fujita scale in 2007, there have been 10 tornadoes categorized as EF5.

“In the last kind of 12 years, there’s been several strong tornadoes that have come close, but there haven’t been known damage indicators at that time to support the EF5 rating,” said Melinda Beerends, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. “It’s hard sometimes to get tornadoes to hit something.”

The twister destroyed farmsteads, tipped over fully-loaded rail cars, toppled transmission towers and uprooted trees. One tanker car was hurled far from the rest.

Meteorologists from the Grand Forks office headed into the field the next morning to assess the damage. Determining a tornado's strength usually takes days or weeks, as meteorologists study the damage to buildings and trees. This case took much longer because of the unusual damage to rail cars.

The initial estimate for the tornado in the days afterward was an EF3.

The tornado was caused by warm, moist air in place which is ripe for a thunderstorm, Beerends said. But there was also a high amount of wind shear, which is a variation of wind speed and direction that created the conditions for the tornado.

Two men and a woman were killed at two locations near Enderlin, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southwest of Fargo. Thousands of homes lost power during the storm.

One farmstead had its foundation swept clean, with just the basement remaining and debris scattered downwind.

By SARAH RAZA Associated PressA deadly tornado that tore across southeastern North Dakota this summer has been upgraded to an EF5 with winds topping 200 mph (322 kph), the strongest classification of tornado and the first on American soil in 12 years, meteorologists said Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After further investigation, Enderlin tornado #1 in North Dakota on 20 June 2025 was upgraded to an EF-5 (the first EF-5 since 20 May 2013 in Moore OK!). More imagery and details on the CIMSS Satellite Blog: <a href="https://t.co/4tiqEWQFee">https://t.co/4tiqEWQFee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGrandForks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWSGrandForks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NDwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/NmvZPOd1EQ">pic.twitter.com/NmvZPOd1EQ</a>&mdash; UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) <a href="https://twitter.com/UWCIMSS/status/1975240939875500298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The June 20 twister in Enderlin caused significant damage and killed three people. At its largest, the tornado was 1.05 miles wide (1.69 kilometers) and carved a path across the prairie for just over 12 miles (19 kilometers).Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks estimated the tornado's winds reached 210 mph (338 kph), according to the newly released analysis. The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado in Oklahoma holds the record of the strongest winds ever recorded at 321 mph (517 kph).Since the National Weather Service began using Enhanced Fujita scale in 2007, there have been 10 tornadoes categorized as EF5.“In the last kind of 12 years, there’s been several strong tornadoes that have come close, but there haven’t been known damage indicators at that time to support the EF5 rating,” said Melinda Beerends, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. “It’s hard sometimes to get tornadoes to hit something.”The twister destroyed farmsteads, tipped over fully-loaded rail cars, toppled transmission towers and uprooted trees. One tanker car was hurled far from the rest.Meteorologists from the Grand Forks office headed into the field the next morning to assess the damage. Determining a tornado's strength usually takes days or weeks, as meteorologists study the damage to buildings and trees. This case took much longer because of the unusual damage to rail cars.The initial estimate for the tornado in the days afterward was an EF3.The tornado was caused by warm, moist air in place which is ripe for a thunderstorm, Beerends said. But there was also a high amount of wind shear, which is a variation of wind speed and direction that created the conditions for the tornado.Two men and a woman were killed at two locations near Enderlin, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southwest of Fargo. Thousands of homes lost power during the storm.One farmstead had its foundation swept clean, with just the basement remaining and debris scattered downwind.

Weather service: 210 mph tornado was first EF5 in a dozen years

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run is due back in court on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Last month, Judge Roger Woods charged 21-year-old Blaine L. Hughes of Wichita with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 9 p.m. September 17, police were dispatched to the scene of a reported hit-and-run at the intersection of Murdock and Broadway in Wichita, according to a media release.&nbsp; First responders found 57-year-old Daniel Forshey lying in the roadway. Sedgwick County EMS arrived shortly after and pronounced Forshey dead at 9:11 p.m.

The Wichita Police Accident Follow-Up Unit interviewed witnesses and obtained video footage of the suspect vehicle. Initial investigations indicate that Forshey was riding his bicycle eastbound on Murdock when he was struck by a white 2006 Dodge Ram 1500.

After hitting Forshey, Hughes drove into a Jump Start parking lot before fleeing southbound on Topeka Street.

In the early morning hours of September 18, patrol officers from the east bureau located the Hughes' truck and took him into custody without incident. Hughes remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758208031431.png" alt="Hughes photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hughes photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run is due back in court on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Last month, Judge Roger Woods charged 21-year-old Blaine L. Hughes of Wichita with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 9 p.m. September 17, police were dispatched to the scene of a reported hit-and-run at the intersection of Murdock and Broadway in Wichita, according to a media release.&nbsp; First responders found 57-year-old Daniel Forshey lying in the roadway. Sedgwick County EMS arrived shortly after and pronounced Forshey dead at 9:11 p.m.The Wichita Police Accident Follow-Up Unit interviewed witnesses and obtained video footage of the suspect vehicle. Initial investigations indicate that Forshey was riding his bicycle eastbound on Murdock when he was struck by a white 2006 Dodge Ram 1500.After hitting Forshey, Hughes drove into a Jump Start parking lot before fleeing southbound on Topeka Street.In the early morning hours of September 18, patrol officers from the east bureau located the Hughes' truck and took him into custody without incident. Hughes remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

Suspect in deadly Kan. hit-and-run is due back in court

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-lgbtq-tariffs-birthright-citizenship-6454b491b6b232ee424fe61823866bb4">a new term</a>&nbsp;that will have a sharp focus on President Donald Trump's robust assertion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-weaponizing-government-second-term-54ab244ccb2328d116a498bbaeb680ef">executive power</a>.

Pivotal cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people also are on the agenda. On Tuesday, the justices will hear arguments over bans passed by nearly half of U.S. states on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.

Chief Justice John Roberts formally opened the term Monday as the court rejected more than 800 pending appeals, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epstein-maxwell-appeal-a4ba832cd2a23a2c499cef23f1e30927">a challenge by Ghislaine Maxwell</a>&nbsp;to her conviction for luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein.

In its first arguments, the court also appeared to be inclined to rule against a criminal defendant from Texas in a case about the constitutional right to a lawyer. Approaching an overnight break in the defendant's testimony, the trial judge ordered defense lawyers not to talk to their client about his testimony.

A major thrust of the next 10 months, however, is expected to be the justices' evaluation of Trump's expansive claims of presidential power.

The court's conservative majority has so far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many emergency appeals from Trump's Republican administration. But there could be more skepticism when the court conducts in-depth examinations of some Trump policies, including the president's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">imposition of tariffs</a>&nbsp;and his desired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-ruling-appeals-trump-immigration-70632486a2ae41f7c98d97b1f7399368">restrictions on birthright citizenship</a>.

The justices are hearing a pivotal case for Trump’s economic agenda in early November as they consider the legality of many of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-d1d0dd6ddd83e2c1df1598e468b839f5">his sweeping tariffs</a>. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">lower courts</a>&nbsp;have found the Republican president does not have the power to unilaterally impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">wide-ranging tariffs</a>&nbsp;under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">an emergency powers law</a>.

In December, the justices will take up Trump's power to fire independent agency members at will, a case that probably will lead the court to overturn, or drastically narrow,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">a 90-year-old decision</a>. It required a cause, like neglect of duty, before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/295us602">a president could remove</a>&nbsp;the Senate-confirmed officials from their jobs.

The outcome appears to be in little doubt because the conservatives have allowed the firings to take effect while the case plays out, even after lower-court judges found the firings illegal. The three liberal justices on the nine-member court have dissented each time.

Another case that has arrived at the court but has yet to be considered involves Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">executive order</a>&nbsp;denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-6d282d34b7aa1e992390499504ad5c7d">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;to children born in the United States to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigrants-fc7dd75ba1fb0a10f56b2a85b92dbe53">parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily</a>.

The administration has appealed lower-court rulings blocking the order as unconstitutional, or likely so, flouting more than 125 years of general understanding and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649">an 1898 Supreme Court ruling</a>. The case could be argued in the late winter or early spring.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A monumental&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;term begins Monday with major tests of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-weaponizing-government-second-term-54ab244ccb2328d116a498bbaeb680ef">presidential power</a>&nbsp;on the agenda along with pivotal cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people.

The court's conservative majority has so far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many of President Donald Trump's aggressive assertions of authority. Liberal Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;invoked the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a103_kh7p.pdf#page=16">Calvin and Hobbes comic strip</a>&nbsp;after one such decision allowing the cut of $783 million in research funding.

"This is Calvinball jurisprudence with a twist,” Jackson wrote. “Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules. We seem to have two: that one, and this administration always wins.”

The conservative justices could be more skeptical when they conduct an in-depth examination of some Trump policies, including the president's imposition of tariffs and his desired restrictions on birthright citizenship.

If the same conservative-liberal split that has marked so many of Trump's emergency appeals endures, "we are in for one of the most polarizing terms yet,” said Irv Gornstein, executive director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University’s law school.

The justices will pass judgment in the next 10 months on some of Trump's most controversial efforts.

3 major cases on presidential power are on the docket

The justices are hearing a pivotal case for Trump’s economic agenda in early November as they consider the legality of many of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-d1d0dd6ddd83e2c1df1598e468b839f5">sweeping tariffs</a>. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">lower courts</a>&nbsp;have found the Republican president does not have the power to unilaterally impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">wide-ranging tariffs</a>&nbsp;under an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">emergency powers law</a>.

States and small businesses argue Trump cannot usurp Congress’s taxation powers by declaring national emergencies and using tariffs to address them.

The administration, though, says the law does give the president the power to regulate importation, and that includes tariffs. Four dissenting judges on a federal appeals court in Washington bought that argument, mapping out a possible legal path at the high court.

In December, the justices will take up Trump's power to fire independent agency members at will, a case that probably will lead the court to overturn, or drastically narrow,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">a 90-year-old decision</a>. It required a cause, like neglect of duty, before a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/295us602">president could remove</a>&nbsp;the Senate-confirmed officials from their jobs.

The outcome appears to be in little doubt because the conservatives have allowed the firings to take effect while the case plays out, even after lower-court judges found the firings illegal. The three liberal justices have dissented each time.

The administration has appealed lower-court rulings blocking the order as unconstitutional, or likely so, flouting more than 125 years of general understanding and an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649">1898 Supreme Court ruling</a>. The case could be argued in the late winter or early spring.

The court could hand Republicans significant victories on voting rights and campaign finance

The future of electoral districts with majorities of Black, Hispanic or Native American voters hangs in the balance in a case about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-louisiana-redistricting-majority-black-districts-ea09df430fa850d4eb7497ae1be9667d">congressional redistricting in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;that will be argued in mid-October.

The Republican-led state has abandoned its defense of a political map that elected two Black members of Congress. Instead, Louisiana wants the court to reject any consideration of race in redistricting in a case that could bring major changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-60th-anniversary-supreme-court-d2bf2ff47a6c1b574e6e351d1fb46528">Voting Rights Act</a>.

Chief Justice John Roberts and the other five conservative justices have been skeptical of the consideration of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-affirmative-action-college-race-f83d6318017ec9b9029b12ee2256e744">race in public life</a>, including a decision in 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions.

Louisiana's position would allow it and other Republican-controlled states in the South to draw new political maps that eliminate virtually all majority Black House districts, which have been Democratic strongholds, voting rights experts say.

The justices failed to decide the case in June after hearing arguments during its last term. The court does not need to go as far as Louisiana wants to reject the congressional map.

But a second round of arguments is a rare occurrence at the Supreme Court, and sometimes presages a major change by the justices. The Citizens United decision in 2010 that led to dramatic increases in independent spending in U.S. elections came after it was argued a second time.

Republicans, including the Trump administration, also are behind a drive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-political-party-spending-a6b43b10ae73e58cc2e7af581b91ec76">to wipe away limits</a>&nbsp;on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president.

The justices are reviewing an appellate ruling that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Democrats had asked the court to leave the law in place, and the Supreme Court upheld it in 2001.

But Roberts, who just marked his 20th anniversary as chief justice, has led a court that has struck down one campaign finance regulation after another.

Transgender women and girls face a test over their participation on school sports teams

More than two dozen states have enacted laws barring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-athletes-title-ix-schools-3871f87d332fb229c07ad16aa3d3cca8">transgender women and girls</a>&nbsp;from participating in certain sports competitions.

The justices are hearing cases from Idaho and West Virginia, where transgender athletes won lower court rulings.

The Supreme Court in June upheld a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-health-care-trump-79fc6f3bbdab2e92d6f0184201a468a9">ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth</a>, but pointedly did not decide any broader issues about transgender rights.

They quickly agreed to take up the state appeals, which raised questions under the Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment and the federal law known as Title IX that dramatically expanded the participation of girls and women in sports in public schools and colleges.

The court has yet to set an argument date.

Justice Samuel Alito is most likely possible retirement in 2026

Alito turns 76 in April, young by Supreme Court standards. But he might not want to stay around and gamble on the possibility of Democrats flipping the Senate in next year's elections and seeing a Democrat capture the White House two years later.

Retiring next summer would allow Trump to name a similarly conservative but much younger replacement who would almost certainly win confirmation from the Republican-led Senate.

For close watchers of the court, Alito has done only one thing out of the ordinary: signed a contract to write a book that is expected out next year. Even as his junior colleagues have moved quickly to sign book deals. Alito, by contrast, waited nearly 20 years.

He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Alito is not the oldest justice. Clarence Thomas is 77, but he has shown no signs of leaving, certainly not before he is set to become the longest-serving justice in U.S. history in 2028.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-lgbtq-tariffs-birthright-citizenship-6454b491b6b232ee424fe61823866bb4">a new term</a>&nbsp;that will have a sharp focus on President Donald Trump's robust assertion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-weaponizing-government-second-term-54ab244ccb2328d116a498bbaeb680ef">executive power</a>.Pivotal cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people also are on the agenda. On Tuesday, the justices will hear arguments over bans passed by nearly half of U.S. states on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.Chief Justice John Roberts formally opened the term Monday as the court rejected more than 800 pending appeals, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epstein-maxwell-appeal-a4ba832cd2a23a2c499cef23f1e30927">a challenge by Ghislaine Maxwell</a>&nbsp;to her conviction for luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein.In its first arguments, the court also appeared to be inclined to rule against a criminal defendant from Texas in a case about the constitutional right to a lawyer. Approaching an overnight break in the defendant's testimony, the trial judge ordered defense lawyers not to talk to their client about his testimony.A major thrust of the next 10 months, however, is expected to be the justices' evaluation of Trump's expansive claims of presidential power.The court's conservative majority has so far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many emergency appeals from Trump's Republican administration. But there could be more skepticism when the court conducts in-depth examinations of some Trump policies, including the president's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">imposition of tariffs</a>&nbsp;and his desired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-ruling-appeals-trump-immigration-70632486a2ae41f7c98d97b1f7399368">restrictions on birthright citizenship</a>.The justices are hearing a pivotal case for Trump’s economic agenda in early November as they consider the legality of many of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-d1d0dd6ddd83e2c1df1598e468b839f5">his sweeping tariffs</a>. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">lower courts</a>&nbsp;have found the Republican president does not have the power to unilaterally impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">wide-ranging tariffs</a>&nbsp;under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">an emergency powers law</a>.In December, the justices will take up Trump's power to fire independent agency members at will, a case that probably will lead the court to overturn, or drastically narrow,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">a 90-year-old decision</a>. It required a cause, like neglect of duty, before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/295us602">a president could remove</a>&nbsp;the Senate-confirmed officials from their jobs.The outcome appears to be in little doubt because the conservatives have allowed the firings to take effect while the case plays out, even after lower-court judges found the firings illegal. The three liberal justices on the nine-member court have dissented each time.Another case that has arrived at the court but has yet to be considered involves Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">executive order</a>&nbsp;denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-6d282d34b7aa1e992390499504ad5c7d">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;to children born in the United States to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigrants-fc7dd75ba1fb0a10f56b2a85b92dbe53">parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily</a>.The administration has appealed lower-court rulings blocking the order as unconstitutional, or likely so, flouting more than 125 years of general understanding and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649">an 1898 Supreme Court ruling</a>. The case could be argued in the late winter or early spring.WASHINGTON (AP) — A monumental&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;term begins Monday with major tests of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-weaponizing-government-second-term-54ab244ccb2328d116a498bbaeb680ef">presidential power</a>&nbsp;on the agenda along with pivotal cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people.The court's conservative majority has so far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many of President Donald Trump's aggressive assertions of authority. Liberal Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;invoked the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a103_kh7p.pdf#page=16">Calvin and Hobbes comic strip</a>&nbsp;after one such decision allowing the cut of $783 million in research funding."This is Calvinball jurisprudence with a twist,” Jackson wrote. “Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules. We seem to have two: that one, and this administration always wins.”The conservative justices could be more skeptical when they conduct an in-depth examination of some Trump policies, including the president's imposition of tariffs and his desired restrictions on birthright citizenship.If the same conservative-liberal split that has marked so many of Trump's emergency appeals endures, "we are in for one of the most polarizing terms yet,” said Irv Gornstein, executive director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University’s law school.The justices will pass judgment in the next 10 months on some of Trump's most controversial efforts.<h2>3 major cases on presidential power are on the docket</h2>The justices are hearing a pivotal case for Trump’s economic agenda in early November as they consider the legality of many of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-d1d0dd6ddd83e2c1df1598e468b839f5">sweeping tariffs</a>. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">lower courts</a>&nbsp;have found the Republican president does not have the power to unilaterally impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">wide-ranging tariffs</a>&nbsp;under an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">emergency powers law</a>.States and small businesses argue Trump cannot usurp Congress’s taxation powers by declaring national emergencies and using tariffs to address them.The administration, though, says the law does give the president the power to regulate importation, and that includes tariffs. Four dissenting judges on a federal appeals court in Washington bought that argument, mapping out a possible legal path at the high court.In December, the justices will take up Trump's power to fire independent agency members at will, a case that probably will lead the court to overturn, or drastically narrow,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">a 90-year-old decision</a>. It required a cause, like neglect of duty, before a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/295us602">president could remove</a>&nbsp;the Senate-confirmed officials from their jobs.The outcome appears to be in little doubt because the conservatives have allowed the firings to take effect while the case plays out, even after lower-court judges found the firings illegal. The three liberal justices have dissented each time.Another case that has arrived at the court but has yet to be considered involves Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">executive order</a>&nbsp;denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-6d282d34b7aa1e992390499504ad5c7d">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;to children born in the United States to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigrants-fc7dd75ba1fb0a10f56b2a85b92dbe53">parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily</a>.The administration has appealed lower-court rulings blocking the order as unconstitutional, or likely so, flouting more than 125 years of general understanding and an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649">1898 Supreme Court ruling</a>. The case could be argued in the late winter or early spring.<h2>The court could hand Republicans significant victories on voting rights and campaign finance</h2>The future of electoral districts with majorities of Black, Hispanic or Native American voters hangs in the balance in a case about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-louisiana-redistricting-majority-black-districts-ea09df430fa850d4eb7497ae1be9667d">congressional redistricting in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;that will be argued in mid-October.The Republican-led state has abandoned its defense of a political map that elected two Black members of Congress. Instead, Louisiana wants the court to reject any consideration of race in redistricting in a case that could bring major changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-60th-anniversary-supreme-court-d2bf2ff47a6c1b574e6e351d1fb46528">Voting Rights Act</a>.Chief Justice John Roberts and the other five conservative justices have been skeptical of the consideration of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-affirmative-action-college-race-f83d6318017ec9b9029b12ee2256e744">race in public life</a>, including a decision in 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions.Louisiana's position would allow it and other Republican-controlled states in the South to draw new political maps that eliminate virtually all majority Black House districts, which have been Democratic strongholds, voting rights experts say.The justices failed to decide the case in June after hearing arguments during its last term. The court does not need to go as far as Louisiana wants to reject the congressional map.But a second round of arguments is a rare occurrence at the Supreme Court, and sometimes presages a major change by the justices. The Citizens United decision in 2010 that led to dramatic increases in independent spending in U.S. elections came after it was argued a second time.Republicans, including the Trump administration, also are behind a drive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-political-party-spending-a6b43b10ae73e58cc2e7af581b91ec76">to wipe away limits</a>&nbsp;on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president.The justices are reviewing an appellate ruling that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Democrats had asked the court to leave the law in place, and the Supreme Court upheld it in 2001.But Roberts, who just marked his 20th anniversary as chief justice, has led a court that has struck down one campaign finance regulation after another.No date for arguments has been set.<h2>Transgender women and girls face a test over their participation on school sports teams</h2>More than two dozen states have enacted laws barring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-athletes-title-ix-schools-3871f87d332fb229c07ad16aa3d3cca8">transgender women and girls</a>&nbsp;from participating in certain sports competitions.The justices are hearing cases from Idaho and West Virginia, where transgender athletes won lower court rulings.The Supreme Court in June upheld a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-health-care-trump-79fc6f3bbdab2e92d6f0184201a468a9">ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth</a>, but pointedly did not decide any broader issues about transgender rights.They quickly agreed to take up the state appeals, which raised questions under the Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment and the federal law known as Title IX that dramatically expanded the participation of girls and women in sports in public schools and colleges.The court has yet to set an argument date.<h2>Justice Samuel Alito is most likely possible retirement in 2026</h2>Alito turns 76 in April, young by Supreme Court standards. But he might not want to stay around and gamble on the possibility of Democrats flipping the Senate in next year's elections and seeing a Democrat capture the White House two years later.Retiring next summer would allow Trump to name a similarly conservative but much younger replacement who would almost certainly win confirmation from the Republican-led Senate.For close watchers of the court, Alito has done only one thing out of the ordinary: signed a contract to write a book that is expected out next year. Even as his junior colleagues have moved quickly to sign book deals. Alito, by contrast, waited nearly 20 years.He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.Alito is not the oldest justice. Clarence Thomas is 77, but he has shown no signs of leaving, certainly not before he is set to become the longest-serving justice in U.S. history in 2028.

New term: Supreme Court will hear 3 major cases on presidential power 

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/joshua-haiar/">Joshua Haiar</a> <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/">South Dakota Searchlight</a>

SALEM — Spending 12 hours a day in his combine this week, harvesting amber rows of soybeans he planted in the spring, Andrew Streff has time to think — and it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China.

The country is boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“China hasn’t purchased any soybeans from the United States this year, thanks to the president,” said Streff, who farms near Salem. “Our beans are the cheapest in the world, by about $2 a bushel, but this trade war is keeping them out of China — our biggest customer.”

Robert Lee is harvesting 300 acres of soybeans on his land near De Smet. He said many farmers are hesitant to blame Trump for bad bean prices.

“But the fact is, China imported 120 million metric tons of soybeans this year and not one bushel came from the U.S.,” Lee said. “That’s a direct result of this trade war.”

Farmers were similarly affected by trade disputes during Trump’s first term. Congress responded with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11289/IF11289.3.pdf" target="_blank">$28 billion</a>&nbsp;of aid for farmers in 2018 and 2019, according to the Congressional Research Service. The relief paid for farmers’ lost income by providing direct payments in its place.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said during a Sept. 26 public event in Rapid City that the federal government will probably have to help farmers again.

“I have talked to the president about this, because some of this is a result of tariff policies, trade relationships, etc. — China’s not buying soybeans today,” Thune said. “And so I think, inevitably, what’s going to happen is they’ll probably end up doing what we did a few years ago, because of loss of markets.”

Thune said that’s something “none of us want.”

“But I think some of that tariff revenue that’s coming in probably will end up heading in that direction,” he said.

Trump’s tariffs will increase federal tax revenues by an estimated $171 billion this year, according to a Sept. 26 report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan, tax policy research nonprofit.

On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Trump administration is considering aid to farmers. He said in an<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/cnbc-transcript-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-box-today.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview</a>&nbsp;with CNBC that farmers “should expect some news on Tuesday” about “substantial support for our farmers, especially the soybean farmers.”

Jerry Schmitz is the executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association. He said U.S. soybean prices are down more than a dollar per bushel from last year, from over $11 down to $10, with South Dakota prices another 80 cents to $1.35 lower. Local grain elevators are struggling because exports through the Pacific Northwest into Asian countries have slowed to a trickle.

Based on the number of soybean acres planted this year, Schmitz said a $1 drop in price equates to about $250 million of lost income for South Dakota farmers.

A tariff is a tax paid by importers, with the cost often passed along in prices charged to customers. Schmitz said the impact of tariffs on farmers goes beyond the obvious. An example is a rise in fertilizer prices, “partly due to inflation, but exacerbated by the tariffs.”

Streff, the Salem-area farmer, also works as a commodities broker in Mitchell. He said farmers like him who locked in a price with a grain buyer months before harvest are doing better, but “you were gambling on the future.”

“A lot of farmers were hoping the president learned from the last time around,” he said. “But it didn’t surprise me — he campaigned on doing these tariffs. The U.S. elected someone who likes to pick fights with other countries, and now we’re in the middle of it.”

He said others waited to see how the crop would turn out and if trade relations with China would improve. They haven’t.

Farm leaders and state officials are creating new domestic soybean uses, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/09/09/500-million-soybean-processing-plant-opens-in-mitchell/" target="_blank">$500 million soybean processing plant</a>&nbsp;in Mitchell that will mostly use soybeans to make renewable diesel and livestock feed.

Streff said that’s encouraging, but it won’t replace the demand of a country with 1.4 billion people who like soybean-fed pork.

“It’s not going to solve all our problems,” he said.

It’s a point Thune echoed while in Rapid City.

“We need to get the Chinese market back at some point because we sell a ton,” Thune said. “Sixty percent of our soybeans are exported, mostly to China. And so we’ve got to have those export markets.”

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/10/02/harvest-of-stress-soybean-farmers-await-help-as-tariff-dispute-closes-china-market/" target="_blank">South Dakota Searchlight</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759754181444.png" alt="Andrew Streff drives his combine while harvesting soybeans on Sept. 29, 2025, near Salem. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Streff drives his combine while harvesting soybeans on Sept. 29, 2025, near Salem. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/joshua-haiar/">Joshua Haiar</a> <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/">South Dakota Searchlight</a>SALEM — Spending 12 hours a day in his combine this week, harvesting amber rows of soybeans he planted in the spring, Andrew Streff has time to think — and it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China.The country is boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.“China hasn’t purchased any soybeans from the United States this year, thanks to the president,” said Streff, who farms near Salem. “Our beans are the cheapest in the world, by about $2 a bushel, but this trade war is keeping them out of China — our biggest customer.”Robert Lee is harvesting 300 acres of soybeans on his land near De Smet. He said many farmers are hesitant to blame Trump for bad bean prices.“But the fact is, China imported 120 million metric tons of soybeans this year and not one bushel came from the U.S.,” Lee said. “That’s a direct result of this trade war.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759754226543.png" alt="Andrew Streff drives his combine while harvesting soybeans on Sept. 29, 2025, near Salem. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Streff drives his combine while harvesting soybeans on Sept. 29, 2025, near Salem. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)</figcaption>
 </figure>Farmers were similarly affected by trade disputes during Trump’s first term. Congress responded with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11289/IF11289.3.pdf" target="_blank">$28 billion</a>&nbsp;of aid for farmers in 2018 and 2019, according to the Congressional Research Service. The relief paid for farmers’ lost income by providing direct payments in its place.U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said during a Sept. 26 public event in Rapid City that the federal government will probably have to help farmers again.“I have talked to the president about this, because some of this is a result of tariff policies, trade relationships, etc. — China’s not buying soybeans today,” Thune said. “And so I think, inevitably, what’s going to happen is they’ll probably end up doing what we did a few years ago, because of loss of markets.”Thune said that’s something “none of us want.”“But I think some of that tariff revenue that’s coming in probably will end up heading in that direction,” he said.Trump’s tariffs will increase federal tax revenues by an estimated $171 billion this year, according to a Sept. 26 report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan, tax policy research nonprofit.On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Trump administration is considering aid to farmers. He said in an<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/cnbc-transcript-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-box-today.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview</a>&nbsp;with CNBC that farmers “should expect some news on Tuesday” about “substantial support for our farmers, especially the soybean farmers.”Jerry Schmitz is the executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association. He said U.S. soybean prices are down more than a dollar per bushel from last year, from over $11 down to $10, with South Dakota prices another 80 cents to $1.35 lower. Local grain elevators are struggling because exports through the Pacific Northwest into Asian countries have slowed to a trickle.Based on the number of soybean acres planted this year, Schmitz said a $1 drop in price equates to about $250 million of lost income for South Dakota farmers.A tariff is a tax paid by importers, with the cost often passed along in prices charged to customers. Schmitz said the impact of tariffs on farmers goes beyond the obvious. An example is a rise in fertilizer prices, “partly due to inflation, but exacerbated by the tariffs.”Streff, the Salem-area farmer, also works as a commodities broker in Mitchell. He said farmers like him who locked in a price with a grain buyer months before harvest are doing better, but “you were gambling on the future.”“A lot of farmers were hoping the president learned from the last time around,” he said. “But it didn’t surprise me — he campaigned on doing these tariffs. The U.S. elected someone who likes to pick fights with other countries, and now we’re in the middle of it.”He said others waited to see how the crop would turn out and if trade relations with China would improve. They haven’t.Farm leaders and state officials are creating new domestic soybean uses, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/09/09/500-million-soybean-processing-plant-opens-in-mitchell/" target="_blank">$500 million soybean processing plant</a>&nbsp;in Mitchell that will mostly use soybeans to make renewable diesel and livestock feed.Streff said that’s encouraging, but it won’t replace the demand of a country with 1.4 billion people who like soybean-fed pork.“It’s not going to solve all our problems,” he said.It’s a point Thune echoed while in Rapid City.“We need to get the Chinese market back at some point because we sell a ton,” Thune said. “Sixty percent of our soybeans are exported, mostly to China. And so we’ve got to have those export markets.”This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/10/02/harvest-of-stress-soybean-farmers-await-help-as-tariff-dispute-closes-china-market/" target="_blank">South Dakota Searchlight</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on a bus driver in Lawrence.

Just after 3p.m. Saturday, police were called to 11th and New Hampshire in Lawrence after a bus passenger witnessed a man acting erratically - then shove the bus driver and break out a window with his fist, according to a media release from Lawrence police.

The driver asked the passenger to roll up the window because it wasn’t allowed. When the passenger refused and began disrupting other passengers, the driver pulled the bus over and told the passenger to get off the bus.

The man then shoved the bus driver, ripped the driver’s glasses off his face and punched out the window.   Officers quickly arrived and found the man shirtless and agitated outside the bus and took him into custody.  The driver did not require medical treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758456623358.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on a bus driver in Lawrence.Just after 3p.m. Saturday, police were called to 11th and New Hampshire in Lawrence after a bus passenger witnessed a man acting erratically - then shove the bus driver and break out a window with his fist, according to a media release from Lawrence police.The driver asked the passenger to roll up the window because it wasn’t allowed. When the passenger refused and began disrupting other passengers, the driver pulled the bus over and told the passenger to get off the bus.The man then shoved the bus driver, ripped the driver’s glasses off his face and punched out the window. Officers quickly arrived and found the man shirtless and agitated outside the bus and took him into custody. The driver did not require medical treatment.

Police: Kansas man jailed after attack on bus driver

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;Ta’Kori Jones, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 7100 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting, according to DiMartino.

Upon arrival officers located Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported the boy to a local hospital in critical condition. Crime scene personnel and Assault Squad detectives responded to the scene to begin the investigation .Just before 9:30 PM, detectives were notified that Jones died of his injuries. Homicide detectives took over the investigation continue to look for video surveillance and potential witnesses. 

&nbsp;The preliminary investigation indicated there was an interaction between multiple individuals in a nearby park just prior to the shots being fired and the Jones being struck. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759714434941.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;Ta’Kori Jones, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 7100 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting, according to DiMartino.Upon arrival officers located Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported the boy to a local hospital in critical condition. Crime scene personnel and Assault Squad detectives responded to the scene to begin the investigation .Just before 9:30 PM, detectives were notified that Jones died of his injuries. Homicide detectives took over the investigation continue to look for video surveillance and potential witnesses. &nbsp;The preliminary investigation indicated there was an interaction between multiple individuals in a nearby park just prior to the shots being fired and the Jones being struck.

KCPD: 16-year-old killed in shooting at a park

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic lawmakers at an impasse on reopening the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">federal government</a>&nbsp;provided few public signs Sunday of meaningful negotiations taking place to end what is about to be a six-day shutdown — with President Donald Trump saying that layoffs are occurring.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/government-shutdown-clock/">Click here to view the White House Government Shutdown Clock</a>

Asked on Sunday night when federal workers would be fired as he has threatened to do, Trump told reporters: “It's taking place right now and it's all because of the Democrats.”

“The Democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs,” Trump added, declining to answer a question about which agencies are subject to the cuts.

The possibility of layoffs would escalate an already tense situation in which Washington lawmakers have struggled to find common ground and build mutual trust. Leaders in both parties are betting that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-trump-vought-shutdown-congress-democrats-transportation-0dff71ebe4f115feb8649a045646cb5c">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;has swung their way, putting pressure on the other side to cave.

Democrats are insisting on renewing subsidies to cover&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-tax-credits-health-insurance-trump-poll-obamacare-dab7b10bf13dec33a884df5f9fe343f6">health insurance costs</a>&nbsp;for millions of households, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-illinois-trump-national-guard-acbf033191926157c5771825470eb2f8">Trump</a>&nbsp;wants to preserve existing spending levels as he believes that Democrats will have to cave because of the jobs and federal projects being put at risk.

The squabble comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty. While the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-economy-impact-workers-5635da22356dd57949ffcd19e6863c28">U.S. economy</a>&nbsp;has continued to grow this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-shutdown-trump-77afb7e7a6ef75c564f81cd611664271">hiring has slowed</a>&nbsp;and inflation remains elevated as Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-taxes-furniture-imports-trucks-cabinets-30e0ca1409747e92f374b436e9fef64d">import taxes</a>&nbsp;have created a series of disruptions for businesses and hurt confidence in his leadership. At the same time, there is a recognition that the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1">$2 trillion annual budget deficit</a>&nbsp;is financially unsustainable.

House Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3">Hakeem Jeffries</a>, among those appearing on the Sunday news shows, said there have been no talks with Republican leaders since their White House meeting last Monday.

“And, unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent,” Jeffries said. “And what we’ve seen is negotiation through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-online-positing-social-government-shut-down-414e096d681570ad745ae0681b21b2aa">deepfake videos</a>, the House canceling votes, and of course President Trump spending yesterday on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ryder-cup-golf-bethpage-black-860b3728bd39bf5c10356c6612ccc456">golf course</a>. That’s not responsible behavior.”

The Trump administration sees the shutdown as an opening to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chicago-infrastructure-funding-9ef6c7829fc85553bf8d3dbaa759611e">wield greater power over the budget</a>, with multiple officials saying they will save money as workers are furloughed by imposing permanent job cuts on thousands of government workers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">a tactic that has never been used before</a>.

Even though it would be Trump's choice to cut jobs, he believes he can put the blame on the Democrats because of the shutdown.

“It’s up to them,” Trump told reporters on Sunday morning before boarding the presidential helicopter to celebrate the Navy's 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia.

While Trump rose to fame on the TV show&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apprentice-movie-donald-trump-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-dfaa84ffa521b9f54b6104a8515891ef">“The Apprentice”</a>&nbsp;with its catchphrase of “You're fired,” Republicans on Sunday claimed that the administration would take no pleasure in letting go of federal workers, even though the administration had also put funding on hold for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-clean-energy-hydrogen-hub-newsom-0223cb4469508bcea4f689c18c9ab65d">infrastructure and energy projects in Democratic areas</a>&nbsp;without clear signs of remorse.

“We haven’t seen the details yet about what’s happening” with layoffs, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-83d6fb2a9bcc082cbbbe65525c3e9cc8">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;said Sunday morning on NBC. “But it is a regrettable situation that the president does not want.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-nec-economics-trump-elections-7a0be4a246256bc468fb7c0e8bff8639">Kevin Hassett</a>, director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-promises-inflation-time-employment-e0ca5354f6cd426d25f353e1a54d1fb5">White House National Economic Council</a>, also said the administration would prefer to avoid the layoffs.

“We want the Democrats to come forward and to make a deal that’s a clean, continuing resolution that gives us seven more weeks to talk about these things,” Hassett said on CNN. “But the bottom line is that with Republicans in control, the Republicans have a lot more power over the outcome than the Democrats.”

Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-comey-justice-department-james-schiff-309c573c2d9d16839afabb3af56ef2f8">Adam Schiff</a>&nbsp;of California defended his party's stance on the shutdown, saying on NBC that the possible increase in health care costs for “millions of Americans” would make insurance unaffordable in what he called a “crisis.”

But Schiff also noted that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-foreign-aid-funding-freeze-cbf34e243ab5080a3eb8e4968effbf49">stopped congressionally approved spending</a>&nbsp;from being used. That essentially undermines the value of Democrats trying to seek compromises on the budget since the administration could block the spending of money from any deal. The Trump administration sent Congress roughly $4.9 billion in “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">pocket rescissions</a>&nbsp;” on foreign aid, a process that meant the spending was withheld without time for Congress to weigh in before the previous fiscal year ended last month.

“We need both to address the health care crisis and we need some written assurance in the law — I won’t take a promise — that they’re not going to renege on any deal we make,” Schiff said.

The television appearances indicated that Democrats and Republicans are busy talking, deploying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-social-media-image-president-artificial-intelligence-ca2bcec12c6213cdaa9639761c8bfe92">internet memes</a>&nbsp;against each other that have raised concerns about whether it's possible to negotiate in good faith.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-washington-dc-police-a776f0764ef5528ec976604648f08c3f">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;said a video putting Jeffries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-jeffries-sombrero-hats-cb8281193a071b812020ba5dd1c3db78">sombrero and thick mustache</a>&nbsp;was simply a joke, even though it came across as mocking people of Mexican descent as Republicans insist that the Democratic demands would lead to health care spending on immigrants in the country illegally, a claim that Democrats dispute.

Immigrants in the U.S. illegally are not eligible for any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-government-shutdown-health-care-immigrant-11b3ec0066407a17b407bc8e43962fd9">federal health care programs</a>, including insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Still, hospitals do receive Medicaid reimbursements for emergency care that they are obligated to provide to people who meet other Medicaid eligibility requirements but do not have an eligible immigration status.

The challenge, however, is that the two parties do not appear to be having productive conversations with each other in private, even as Republicans insist they are in conversation with their Democratic colleagues.

On Friday, a Senate vote to advance a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-end-senate-congress-138e0bd690d616f0735429890d28196f">Republican bill</a>&nbsp;that would reopen the government failed to notch the necessary 60 votes to end a filibuster. Johnson said the House would close for legislative business next week, a strategy that could obligate the Senate to work with the government funding bill that was passed by House Republicans.

“Johnson’s not serious about this,” Senate Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-chuck-schumer-shutdown-6a420d356335f738c874381b6ade3c10">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;said on CBS. “He sent all his congressmen home last week and home this week. How are you going to negotiate?”

Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-republicans-shutdown-negotiations-votes-health-care-29b11579bfc694a52b9e8e272a47bb91">John Thune</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that the shutdown on discretionary spending, the furloughing of federal workers and requirements that other federal employees work without pay will go on so long as Democrats vote no.

“They’ll get another chance on Monday to vote again,” Thune said on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”

“And I’m hoping that some of them have a change of heart," he said.

Jeffries, Johnson and Schiff appeared on NBC's “Meet the Press,” Hassett was on CNN's “State of the Union,” Schumer was on CBS's “Face the Nation” and Thune was on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759744952822.png" alt="Image from the White House government shutdown clock just after 5a.m. Monday" />
 <figcaption>Image from the White House government shutdown clock just after 5a.m. Monday</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic lawmakers at an impasse on reopening the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">federal government</a>&nbsp;provided few public signs Sunday of meaningful negotiations taking place to end what is about to be a six-day shutdown — with President Donald Trump saying that layoffs are occurring.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/government-shutdown-clock/">Click here to view the White House Government Shutdown Clock</a>Asked on Sunday night when federal workers would be fired as he has threatened to do, Trump told reporters: “It's taking place right now and it's all because of the Democrats.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315687610.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs,” Trump added, declining to answer a question about which agencies are subject to the cuts.The possibility of layoffs would escalate an already tense situation in which Washington lawmakers have struggled to find common ground and build mutual trust. Leaders in both parties are betting that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-trump-vought-shutdown-congress-democrats-transportation-0dff71ebe4f115feb8649a045646cb5c">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;has swung their way, putting pressure on the other side to cave.Democrats are insisting on renewing subsidies to cover&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-tax-credits-health-insurance-trump-poll-obamacare-dab7b10bf13dec33a884df5f9fe343f6">health insurance costs</a>&nbsp;for millions of households, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-illinois-trump-national-guard-acbf033191926157c5771825470eb2f8">Trump</a>&nbsp;wants to preserve existing spending levels as he believes that Democrats will have to cave because of the jobs and federal projects being put at risk.The squabble comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty. While the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-economy-impact-workers-5635da22356dd57949ffcd19e6863c28">U.S. economy</a>&nbsp;has continued to grow this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-shutdown-trump-77afb7e7a6ef75c564f81cd611664271">hiring has slowed</a>&nbsp;and inflation remains elevated as Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-taxes-furniture-imports-trucks-cabinets-30e0ca1409747e92f374b436e9fef64d">import taxes</a>&nbsp;have created a series of disruptions for businesses and hurt confidence in his leadership. At the same time, there is a recognition that the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1">$2 trillion annual budget deficit</a>&nbsp;is financially unsustainable.House Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3">Hakeem Jeffries</a>, among those appearing on the Sunday news shows, said there have been no talks with Republican leaders since their White House meeting last Monday.“And, unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent,” Jeffries said. “And what we’ve seen is negotiation through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-online-positing-social-government-shut-down-414e096d681570ad745ae0681b21b2aa">deepfake videos</a>, the House canceling votes, and of course President Trump spending yesterday on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ryder-cup-golf-bethpage-black-860b3728bd39bf5c10356c6612ccc456">golf course</a>. That’s not responsible behavior.”The Trump administration sees the shutdown as an opening to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chicago-infrastructure-funding-9ef6c7829fc85553bf8d3dbaa759611e">wield greater power over the budget</a>, with multiple officials saying they will save money as workers are furloughed by imposing permanent job cuts on thousands of government workers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">a tactic that has never been used before</a>.Even though it would be Trump's choice to cut jobs, he believes he can put the blame on the Democrats because of the shutdown.“It’s up to them,” Trump told reporters on Sunday morning before boarding the presidential helicopter to celebrate the Navy's 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia.While Trump rose to fame on the TV show&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apprentice-movie-donald-trump-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-dfaa84ffa521b9f54b6104a8515891ef">“The Apprentice”</a>&nbsp;with its catchphrase of “You're fired,” Republicans on Sunday claimed that the administration would take no pleasure in letting go of federal workers, even though the administration had also put funding on hold for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-clean-energy-hydrogen-hub-newsom-0223cb4469508bcea4f689c18c9ab65d">infrastructure and energy projects in Democratic areas</a>&nbsp;without clear signs of remorse.“We haven’t seen the details yet about what’s happening” with layoffs, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-83d6fb2a9bcc082cbbbe65525c3e9cc8">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;said Sunday morning on NBC. “But it is a regrettable situation that the president does not want.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-nec-economics-trump-elections-7a0be4a246256bc468fb7c0e8bff8639">Kevin Hassett</a>, director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-promises-inflation-time-employment-e0ca5354f6cd426d25f353e1a54d1fb5">White House National Economic Council</a>, also said the administration would prefer to avoid the layoffs.“We want the Democrats to come forward and to make a deal that’s a clean, continuing resolution that gives us seven more weeks to talk about these things,” Hassett said on CNN. “But the bottom line is that with Republicans in control, the Republicans have a lot more power over the outcome than the Democrats.”Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-comey-justice-department-james-schiff-309c573c2d9d16839afabb3af56ef2f8">Adam Schiff</a>&nbsp;of California defended his party's stance on the shutdown, saying on NBC that the possible increase in health care costs for “millions of Americans” would make insurance unaffordable in what he called a “crisis.”But Schiff also noted that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-foreign-aid-funding-freeze-cbf34e243ab5080a3eb8e4968effbf49">stopped congressionally approved spending</a>&nbsp;from being used. That essentially undermines the value of Democrats trying to seek compromises on the budget since the administration could block the spending of money from any deal. The Trump administration sent Congress roughly $4.9 billion in “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">pocket rescissions</a>&nbsp;” on foreign aid, a process that meant the spending was withheld without time for Congress to weigh in before the previous fiscal year ended last month.“We need both to address the health care crisis and we need some written assurance in the law — I won’t take a promise — that they’re not going to renege on any deal we make,” Schiff said.The television appearances indicated that Democrats and Republicans are busy talking, deploying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-social-media-image-president-artificial-intelligence-ca2bcec12c6213cdaa9639761c8bfe92">internet memes</a>&nbsp;against each other that have raised concerns about whether it's possible to negotiate in good faith.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-washington-dc-police-a776f0764ef5528ec976604648f08c3f">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;said a video putting Jeffries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-jeffries-sombrero-hats-cb8281193a071b812020ba5dd1c3db78">sombrero and thick mustache</a>&nbsp;was simply a joke, even though it came across as mocking people of Mexican descent as Republicans insist that the Democratic demands would lead to health care spending on immigrants in the country illegally, a claim that Democrats dispute.Immigrants in the U.S. illegally are not eligible for any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-government-shutdown-health-care-immigrant-11b3ec0066407a17b407bc8e43962fd9">federal health care programs</a>, including insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Still, hospitals do receive Medicaid reimbursements for emergency care that they are obligated to provide to people who meet other Medicaid eligibility requirements but do not have an eligible immigration status.The challenge, however, is that the two parties do not appear to be having productive conversations with each other in private, even as Republicans insist they are in conversation with their Democratic colleagues.On Friday, a Senate vote to advance a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-end-senate-congress-138e0bd690d616f0735429890d28196f">Republican bill</a>&nbsp;that would reopen the government failed to notch the necessary 60 votes to end a filibuster. Johnson said the House would close for legislative business next week, a strategy that could obligate the Senate to work with the government funding bill that was passed by House Republicans.“Johnson’s not serious about this,” Senate Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-chuck-schumer-shutdown-6a420d356335f738c874381b6ade3c10">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;said on CBS. “He sent all his congressmen home last week and home this week. How are you going to negotiate?”Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-republicans-shutdown-negotiations-votes-health-care-29b11579bfc694a52b9e8e272a47bb91">John Thune</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that the shutdown on discretionary spending, the furloughing of federal workers and requirements that other federal employees work without pay will go on so long as Democrats vote no.“They’ll get another chance on Monday to vote again,” Thune said on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”“And I’m hoping that some of them have a change of heart," he said.___Jeffries, Johnson and Schiff appeared on NBC's “Meet the Press,” Hassett was on CNN's “State of the Union,” Schumer was on CBS's “Face the Nation” and Thune was on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Government shutdown day 6: No immediate end in sight

KANSAS CITY— A Kansas City&nbsp; man was sentenced in federal court this week for illegally possessing eight firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

David Michael Gager, also known as David Kash, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 71 months in federal prison without parole for being a felon in possession of firearms.

On Mar. 7, 2025, Gager pleaded guilty to five counts of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms between Apr. 19, 2024, and May 16, 2024.&nbsp; During this period, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives utilized a confidential informant and an undercover agent to conduct four separate controlled purchases of firearms from Gager.&nbsp; During these transactions, Gager mentioned that he could get machineguns and methamphetamine for future transactions.&nbsp; 

During one transaction, Gager indicated that he acquires firearms in Kansas City and transports them to Chicago where he sells them for a profit.&nbsp;On May 9, 2024, Kansas City, Mo. Police Department officers executed a warrant for Gager’s arrest.&nbsp; The arrest occurred at a convenience store located on Prospect Avenue.&nbsp; Officers discovered a 9mm handgun that Gager had thrown in a trashcan near the front of the convenience store when he noticed officers approaching.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759539473749.png" alt="Gager from a previous arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Gager from a previous arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— A Kansas City&nbsp; man was sentenced in federal court this week for illegally possessing eight firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.David Michael Gager, also known as David Kash, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 71 months in federal prison without parole for being a felon in possession of firearms.On Mar. 7, 2025, Gager pleaded guilty to five counts of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms between Apr. 19, 2024, and May 16, 2024.&nbsp; During this period, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives utilized a confidential informant and an undercover agent to conduct four separate controlled purchases of firearms from Gager.&nbsp; During these transactions, Gager mentioned that he could get machineguns and methamphetamine for future transactions.&nbsp; During one transaction, Gager indicated that he acquires firearms in Kansas City and transports them to Chicago where he sells them for a profit.&nbsp;On May 9, 2024, Kansas City, Mo. Police Department officers executed a warrant for Gager’s arrest.&nbsp; The arrest occurred at a convenience store located on Prospect Avenue.&nbsp; Officers discovered a 9mm handgun that Gager had thrown in a trashcan near the front of the convenience store when he noticed officers approaching.

KC felon sold firearms to undercover ATF agent 

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges for a gunfight at a business in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2736/Cushon-REDACT-COMP">Unique A. Cushon</a>, 35,&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Assault, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.&nbsp;

On September 28,&nbsp;Kansas City police were dispatched to a business in south Kansas City on Sept. 28 and located a victim who was shot in the chest. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition, ,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2737/Cushon-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>,

While on scene, Raytown police advised they located a shooting victim, later identified as Cushon, who was shot in the head and back and was transported to the hospital.&nbsp;

Based on multiple witness reports, Cushon left the business and tried to come back in. The shooting victim, who was working security, told him that if he came back in, he would have to pay. Cushon started arguing with the victim. Another man went and retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to Cushon who fired a shot into the air and then pointed the firearm at the victim and everyone else inside the business.&nbsp;

The victim, in self-defense of himself and others, pulled his firearm and fired one round at the Cushon. The victim realized he was shot and ran inside for help.&nbsp;

Surveillance footage captured the argument between the victim and Cushon and an unknown man taking a firearm from his waistband and handing it to someone. Shortly afterward, the crowd started ducking and the victim returned fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759708658060.png" alt="Cushon photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Cushon photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges for a gunfight at a business in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2736/Cushon-REDACT-COMP">Unique A. Cushon</a>, 35,&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Assault, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.&nbsp;On September 28,&nbsp;Kansas City police were dispatched to a business in south Kansas City on Sept. 28 and located a victim who was shot in the chest. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition, ,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2737/Cushon-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>,While on scene, Raytown police advised they located a shooting victim, later identified as Cushon, who was shot in the head and back and was transported to the hospital.&nbsp;Based on multiple witness reports, Cushon left the business and tried to come back in. The shooting victim, who was working security, told him that if he came back in, he would have to pay. Cushon started arguing with the victim. Another man went and retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to Cushon who fired a shot into the air and then pointed the firearm at the victim and everyone else inside the business.&nbsp;The victim, in self-defense of himself and others, pulled his firearm and fired one round at the Cushon. The victim realized he was shot and ran inside for help.&nbsp;Surveillance footage captured the argument between the victim and Cushon and an unknown man taking a firearm from his waistband and handing it to someone. Shortly afterward, the crowd started ducking and the victim returned fire.Cushon is being held on a $75,000 bond.

Man injured in gunfight with security guard at KC business

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;did not let the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;interfere with a stop in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday to salute the Navy as it celebrates its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.navy.mil/Navy-250/">250th anniversary</a>&nbsp;— using his speech to praise both the Navy and himself.

Trump delivered remarks that by his own recognition bordered on making it more like a campaign event, generating some applause from the crowd before closing out with a recording of his theme song, “YMCA” by Village People.

“Let’s face it, this is a rally,” Trump told the crowd that the Navy estimated to be 10,000 people.

The president criticized his political opponents and attacked Democratic lawmakers as the shutdown entered its fifth day, causing military personnel to work without pay until the government reopens.

“I want you to know that despite the current Democrat induced shutdown, we will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it," Trump said to cheers from the crowd.

The government shutdown that began Wednesday has sparked partisan blame games as several thousand federal employees are furloughed and key infrastructure and energy projects in Democratic-run areas such as New York and Chicago have been put on hold. It lurked in the background of the event as Trump praised a Navy that he said has “never failed to hunt, kill and win.”

Senate Democrats rejected efforts to preserve a continuation of government operations when the new budget year started on Wednesday. They cited the lapse in subsidies that could cause health insurance costs to climb rapidly for people who get coverage through the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Democratic lawmakers also have sought to reverse cuts to Medicaid that Trump signed into law.

Democrats oppose Trump's move to have his administration decline to spend congressionally approved funds, saying it undermines the budgeting process, among other concerns. Meanwhile, Trump has explored laying off federal workers at what he called “Democrat Agencies.”

Among those joining Trump for the festivities were first lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a former Navy rear admiral who was a White House doctor during Trump's first term.

After his arrival in Norfolk, Trump went to the USS George H.W. Bush and spoke to the sailors and handed out challenge coins.

The Trumps then watched a military demonstration while standing on the deck of the aircraft carrier. Navy destroyers launched missiles and fired shells into the Atlantic Ocean, Navy SEALs descended from helicopters and fighter jets catapulted off.

The president has increasingly sought to leverage support from within the military as he has escalated its role in American society, asking troops to patrol the streets of U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Memphis, Baltimore and Portland, Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Trump was seeking to send his state's National Guard to Portland after the administration's previous moves to deploy troops in the Oregon National Guard were blocked in court.

Trump on Tuesday addressed a gathering of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-meeting-military-commanders-4ceb8026bff7c652b08c08e8afb1df99">military leaders</a>&nbsp;abruptly summoned from across the globe to Virginia by Hegseth. The Republican president proposed using U.S. cities as training grounds for the armed forces and he spoke of needing military might to combat what he called the “invasion from within.”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-combat-women-race-hegseth-d406029d0e0dfd52443ef8d7fcb765cb">Hegseth declared</a>&nbsp;an end to “woke” culture and announced new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-pentagon-defense-combat-women-trump-b423fd49730d9ab97151a2d2a4fdf6a7">“male-level” standards</a>&nbsp;for physical fitness.

The administration is seeking to reshape Pentagon culture and use military resources for the president’s priorities, including quelling domestic unrest and violent crime.

Trump has also engaged the military in an armed conflict with drug cartels, leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-venezuela-drug-cartels-unlawful-combatants-1848b02febe08acacb82979d7da47dfb">four strikes</a>&nbsp;on boats in the Caribbean that Washington says were involved in trafficking.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;did not let the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;interfere with a stop in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday to salute the Navy as it celebrates its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.navy.mil/Navy-250/">250th anniversary</a>&nbsp;— using his speech to praise both the Navy and himself.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> arrive aboard the USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, to celebrate the <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNavy</a>&#39;s 250th birthday. <a href="http
s://t.co/BrP0ByFZmX">pic.twitter.com/BrP0ByFZmX</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974892908827300085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump and theFirst Lady walk through a cordon of U.S. Navy Sailors as they arrive on the USSS Harry’s Truman 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/EXhHyWHQ0e">pic.twitter.com/EXhHyWHQ0e</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1974927779763556583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">NAVY 1! President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> makes an announcement on USSS George H.W. Bush 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/WqMVLvREXg">pic.twitter.com/WqMVLvREXg</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1974928957561819394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: We are gathered on this storied waterfront to celebrate 250 years of strength, tenacity, and unwavering courage by the greatest fighting force ever to roam the seas — the UNITED STATES NAVY. <a href="https://t.co/sOYwKP8V3x">pic.twitter.com/sOYwKP8V3x</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974933318073508208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Docked beside us today are a combined 150,000 tons of pure American Naval supremacy — and two colossal reasons why NO ONE should ever want to start a fight with the USA.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/7uGYhVlpWh">pic.twitter.com/7uGYhVlpWh</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974934985653277096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUIS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUIS</a>: &quot;Whenever duty calls, American Sailors will hoist our flag high and they will rally to Admiral Farragut&#39;s immortal battle cry: &#39;DAMN THE TORPEDOS, FULL SPEED AHEAD!&#39;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0pJleUey7N">pic.twitter.com/0pJleUey7N</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974943920779153693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>: &quot;HOOYAH, NAVY!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/gUMfbjZZv5">pic.twitter.com/gUMfbjZZv5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974931079682457750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">THE <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNAVY</a> LOVES <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a>! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/my6pxPAHOP">pic.twitter.com/my6pxPAHOP</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974929453295006076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">THE <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNAVY</a> LOVES <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a>! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/my6pxPAHOP">pic.twitter.com/my6pxPAHOP</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974929453295006076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump delivered remarks that by his own recognition bordered on making it more like a campaign event, generating some applause from the crowd before closing out with a recording of his theme song, “YMCA” by Village People.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">250 years of the greatest fighting force ever to roam the seas — THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNavy</a> ⚓️ <a href="https://t.co/pwZLiAMNz6">pic.twitter.com/pwZLiAMNz6</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1974944835108065313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sailors wave goodbye to President Trump after the largest celebration in the history of the U.S. Navy! ⚓️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/03f8ztRTSl">pic.twitter.com/03f8ztRTSl</a>&mdash; Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnaKelly47/status/1974946429543366974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TRUMP DANCE ABOARD THE USS HARRY S. TRUMAN! GOD BLESS OUR NAVY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/TCYmQ2ayh0">pic.twitter.com/TCYmQ2ayh0</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974944086718403000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Let’s face it, this is a rally,” Trump told the crowd that the Navy estimated to be 10,000 people.The president criticized his political opponents and attacked Democratic lawmakers as the shutdown entered its fifth day, causing military personnel to work without pay until the government reopens.“I want you to know that despite the current Democrat induced shutdown, we will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it," Trump said to cheers from the crowd.The government shutdown that began Wednesday has sparked partisan blame games as several thousand federal employees are furloughed and key infrastructure and energy projects in Democratic-run areas such as New York and Chicago have been put on hold. It lurked in the background of the event as Trump praised a Navy that he said has “never failed to hunt, kill and win.”Senate Democrats rejected efforts to preserve a continuation of government operations when the new budget year started on Wednesday. They cited the lapse in subsidies that could cause health insurance costs to climb rapidly for people who get coverage through the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Democratic lawmakers also have sought to reverse cuts to Medicaid that Trump signed into law.Democrats oppose Trump's move to have his administration decline to spend congressionally approved funds, saying it undermines the budgeting process, among other concerns. Meanwhile, Trump has explored laying off federal workers at what he called “Democrat Agencies.”Among those joining Trump for the festivities were first lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a former Navy rear admiral who was a White House doctor during Trump's first term.After his arrival in Norfolk, Trump went to the USS George H.W. Bush and spoke to the sailors and handed out challenge coins.The Trumps then watched a military demonstration while standing on the deck of the aircraft carrier. Navy destroyers launched missiles and fired shells into the Atlantic Ocean, Navy SEALs descended from helicopters and fighter jets catapulted off.The president has increasingly sought to leverage support from within the military as he has escalated its role in American society, asking troops to patrol the streets of U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Memphis, Baltimore and Portland, Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Trump was seeking to send his state's National Guard to Portland after the administration's previous moves to deploy troops in the Oregon National Guard were blocked in court.Trump on Tuesday addressed a gathering of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-meeting-military-commanders-4ceb8026bff7c652b08c08e8afb1df99">military leaders</a>&nbsp;abruptly summoned from across the globe to Virginia by Hegseth. The Republican president proposed using U.S. cities as training grounds for the armed forces and he spoke of needing military might to combat what he called the “invasion from within.”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-combat-women-race-hegseth-d406029d0e0dfd52443ef8d7fcb765cb">Hegseth declared</a>&nbsp;an end to “woke” culture and announced new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-pentagon-defense-combat-women-trump-b423fd49730d9ab97151a2d2a4fdf6a7">“male-level” standards</a>&nbsp;for physical fitness.The administration is seeking to reshape Pentagon culture and use military resources for the president’s priorities, including quelling domestic unrest and violent crime.Trump has also engaged the military in an armed conflict with drug cartels, leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-venezuela-drug-cartels-unlawful-combatants-1848b02febe08acacb82979d7da47dfb">four strikes</a>&nbsp;on boats in the Caribbean that Washington says were involved in trafficking.

🎥 President, First Lady celebrate Navy's 250th birthday 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>,&nbsp; AP Airlines&nbsp;and&nbsp;Travel Writer

If a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chuck-schumer-20e54a0f5e4fee909d0f9ea2c07c15e1">U.S. government shutdown</a>&nbsp;goes on long enough, it could throw a wrench in travel plans, potentially leading to longer airport wait times, flight delays and even cancellations.

The shutdown began Wednesday after President Donald Trump and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">failed to reach a deal</a>&nbsp;to continue funding government services and operations. That means a vast majority of employees who keep U.S. airports and air travel running are working without pay until the government reopens.

“The longer a shutdown drags on, the more likely we are to see longer TSA lines, flight delays and cancellations, national parks in disrepair and unnecessary delays in modernizing travel infrastructure,” Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, warned in a statement.

Here’s what to know about the shutdown and its potential impacts on your travel plans.

Travelers can still fly despite the lapse in funding, and early on in the shutdown, they might not even notice any issues at the airport.

Control towers and airport security checkpoints will still be staffed, with about 13,200 air traffic controllers and more than 61,000 Transportation Security Administration employees expected to remain on the job.

But as more time passes for the workers since their last paycheck, travelers could start to see longer lines at security and flight interruptions, said Jeffrey Price, professor of aviation at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

“The system does become a little bit more brittle, and the longer this goes, the more the traveler is going to notice it,” Price said.

That’s what happened in 2018 and 2019, when Trump led the country into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">its longest shutdown ever</a>&nbsp;for 35 days during his first term.

About three weeks into that shutdown, some unpaid security screeners started calling in sick, and air traffic controllers sued the government in a bid to get their paychecks. Miami International Airport had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f147ae8bd1e44787aa11ebe725fd59c0">temporarily close</a>&nbsp;one of its terminals because TSA officers were calling in sick at twice the airport’s usual rate.

The latest shutdown is unfolding at a time when both the TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration are already facing staffing shortages, including a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.

If the system can’t handle the number of flights that are scheduled, the FAA will slow down landings and take offs and passengers will see more delays and cancellations.

Nick Daniels, president of the union that represents air traffic controllers, said a shutdown weakens the aviation safety system by adding stress on controllers and taking away many of the workers who support them and maintain the outdated system they rely on.

“They’re out there working right now with critical staffing — the lowest staffing we’ve had in decades of only 10,800, where there should be 14,633. And on top of that, they’re working with unreliable equipment,” Daniels said.

During the 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term, controllers in the busiest U.S. air traffic facilities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/event/116th-congress/house-event/LC64697/text" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;working as much as 60 hours per week, and an increasing number of TSA agents also quit their jobs.

“This is more than just an inconvenience to the traveler,” Price said of the shutdown. “This is definitely going to bring up safety and security issues, if it really starts to go into the long term.”

Amtrak says its passengers trains will continue running. It operates more than 300 trains daily in 46 states, the D.C. area and three Canadian provinces.

In a statement, the country’s rail operator said that passengers planning to travel on its trains “in the coming days and weeks can be assured that Amtrak will remain open for business.”

Ports of entry into the country are expected to stay open for international travelers, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2025-09/DOT_Shutdown_Plan_9.30.25.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>.

The department estimated that about 63,000 workers at Customs and Border Protection would still report to work. They include employees who are responsible for protecting the country’s borders and monitoring traffic coming into the U.S. at official border crossings, like airports and land crossings from Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency responsible for overseeing the naturalization process, is primarily funded by application fees, meaning a lapse in funding at the federal government has minimal impacts on most passport and visa processing.

Agency spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a statement, however, that the shutdown does temporarily shutter the agency’s E-Verify program, a free online system that employers can use to confirm their new employees are authorized to work in the U.S.

Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo were scheduled to stay open to the public through at least Oct. 6. Further updates will be posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/PKDX7SulEi" target="_blank">the Smithsonian website</a>.

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum complex, with 17 museums and its zoo located in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as two museums in New York City.

National Parks will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-national-parks-liberty-bell-4c30b0b6db4ba8a7d0583a2d5fe58022">remain mostly open</a>&nbsp;during the shutdown.

The National Park Service’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/doi-nps-lapse-plan2025930508.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;says park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will “generally remain accessible to visitors.” But parks without ”accessible areas” will be closed, and additional sites could shutter if damage is done to park resources or garbage builds up during the shutdown.

The park service oversees 400 sites, including large national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, national battlefields and national monuments like the Statue of Liberty.

Associated Press transportation reporter Josh Funk contributed from Omaha, Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751991473798.png" alt="File photo TSA" />
 <figcaption>File photo TSA</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>,&nbsp; AP Airlines&nbsp;and&nbsp;Travel WriterIf a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chuck-schumer-20e54a0f5e4fee909d0f9ea2c07c15e1">U.S. government shutdown</a>&nbsp;goes on long enough, it could throw a wrench in travel plans, potentially leading to longer airport wait times, flight delays and even cancellations.The shutdown began Wednesday after President Donald Trump and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">failed to reach a deal</a>&nbsp;to continue funding government services and operations. That means a vast majority of employees who keep U.S. airports and air travel running are working without pay until the government reopens.“The longer a shutdown drags on, the more likely we are to see longer TSA lines, flight delays and cancellations, national parks in disrepair and unnecessary delays in modernizing travel infrastructure,” Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, warned in a statement.Here’s what to know about the shutdown and its potential impacts on your travel plans.<h2>Flying during a shutdown</h2>Travelers can still fly despite the lapse in funding, and early on in the shutdown, they might not even notice any issues at the airport.Control towers and airport security checkpoints will still be staffed, with about 13,200 air traffic controllers and more than 61,000 Transportation Security Administration employees expected to remain on the job.But as more time passes for the workers since their last paycheck, travelers could start to see longer lines at security and flight interruptions, said Jeffrey Price, professor of aviation at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.“The system does become a little bit more brittle, and the longer this goes, the more the traveler is going to notice it,” Price said.That’s what happened in 2018 and 2019, when Trump led the country into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">its longest shutdown ever</a>&nbsp;for 35 days during his first term.About three weeks into that shutdown, some unpaid security screeners started calling in sick, and air traffic controllers sued the government in a bid to get their paychecks. Miami International Airport had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f147ae8bd1e44787aa11ebe725fd59c0">temporarily close</a>&nbsp;one of its terminals because TSA officers were calling in sick at twice the airport’s usual rate.The latest shutdown is unfolding at a time when both the TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration are already facing staffing shortages, including a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.If the system can’t handle the number of flights that are scheduled, the FAA will slow down landings and take offs and passengers will see more delays and cancellations.<h2>Safety at airports and in the air</h2>Nick Daniels, president of the union that represents air traffic controllers, said a shutdown weakens the aviation safety system by adding stress on controllers and taking away many of the workers who support them and maintain the outdated system they rely on.“They’re out there working right now with critical staffing — the lowest staffing we’ve had in decades of only 10,800, where there should be 14,633. And on top of that, they’re working with unreliable equipment,” Daniels said.During the 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term, controllers in the busiest U.S. air traffic facilities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/event/116th-congress/house-event/LC64697/text" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;working as much as 60 hours per week, and an increasing number of TSA agents also quit their jobs.“This is more than just an inconvenience to the traveler,” Price said of the shutdown. “This is definitely going to bring up safety and security issues, if it really starts to go into the long term.”<h2>Travel by train</h2>Amtrak says its passengers trains will continue running. It operates more than 300 trains daily in 46 states, the D.C. area and three Canadian provinces.In a statement, the country’s rail operator said that passengers planning to travel on its trains “in the coming days and weeks can be assured that Amtrak will remain open for business.”<h2>International travel into the U.S.</h2>Ports of entry into the country are expected to stay open for international travelers, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2025-09/DOT_Shutdown_Plan_9.30.25.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>.The department estimated that about 63,000 workers at Customs and Border Protection would still report to work. They include employees who are responsible for protecting the country’s borders and monitoring traffic coming into the U.S. at official border crossings, like airports and land crossings from Canada and Mexico.<h2>Passports and visas</h2>The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency responsible for overseeing the naturalization process, is primarily funded by application fees, meaning a lapse in funding at the federal government has minimal impacts on most passport and visa processing.Agency spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a statement, however, that the shutdown does temporarily shutter the agency’s E-Verify program, a free online system that employers can use to confirm their new employees are authorized to work in the U.S.<h2>Museums and national parks</h2>Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo were scheduled to stay open to the public through at least Oct. 6. Further updates will be posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/PKDX7SulEi" target="_blank">the Smithsonian website</a>.The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum complex, with 17 museums and its zoo located in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as two museums in New York City.National Parks will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-national-parks-liberty-bell-4c30b0b6db4ba8a7d0583a2d5fe58022">remain mostly open</a>&nbsp;during the shutdown.The National Park Service’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/doi-nps-lapse-plan2025930508.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;says park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will “generally remain accessible to visitors.” But parks without ”accessible areas” will be closed, and additional sites could shutter if damage is done to park resources or garbage builds up during the shutdown.The park service oversees 400 sites, including large national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, national battlefields and national monuments like the Statue of Liberty.___Associated Press transportation reporter Josh Funk contributed from Omaha, Nebraska.