Trump calls shutdown 'unprecedented chance'

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID on Thursday that he would meet with his budget chief to determine which “Democrat agencies” he could try to cut, relishing the government shutdown as an “unprecedented opportunity” to achieve his agenda.

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Trump did not specify in a post on social media whether he sought to slash spending or lay off federal workers, both of which he has threatened following the lapse in federal funding.

Rather, the president said his discussion with Russell T Vought, the White House budge director, would touch on “whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent.”

Trump’s comments reinforced his view that he sees political advantage in the governmentwide closure, which began at midnight on Wednesday after congressional Democrats and Republicans failed to strike a deal.

Rather than seek to broker a resolution, the president has focused on leveraging the standoff, aiming to carry out his long-sought reconfiguration of Washington while inflicting pain on his political adversaries.