Live updates: Trump lauds US ties with Japan; shutdown stress mounts for Senate
President Trump met with Japan's new prime minister Tuesday, just days after Sanae Takaichi took office. Lavishing praise, he told her, “Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level.”
Later, he rallied U.S. troops aboard the USS George Washington, docked outside Tokyo, praising Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and touted the military no longer being “politically correct.” He also ramped up his threats against cities, telling U.S. service members in Japan that the country’s cities “need more than the National Guard.”
Back in Washington, the Senate faces increasing urgency to end the government shutdown as it hits the four-week mark. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are days away from running out and the largest federal worker union has called for a deal. Meanwhile, one GOP senator is floating a plan to pay furloughed and essential workers.
Vice President Vance will huddle with Senate Republicans at their weekly lunch on Tuesday.
House Republicans on Tuesday released a report on former President Biden's use of the autopen, skewering his term and staff. It calls for, among other things, the nullification of pardons issued using an autopen.
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