Overview

• President Trump shared an AI-generated video casting OMB Director Russ Vought as the grim reaper after saying he would consult him on cutting what he called “Democrat Agencies.”
• Vought has put $18 billion for New York transit on hold, frozen $2.1 billion for Chicago rail projects, and moved to cancel roughly $8 billion in energy grants across Democratic-led states.
• Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president “likes to have a little fun” as the administration identifies where layoffs and agency cuts would occur, while Republican leaders called the decisions difficult.
• Democrats and ethics groups contend the funding freezes and partisan messaging overstep appropriations law and could violate the Hatch Act, with legal challenges expected.
• Talks to reopen the government remain stalled, and Speaker Mike Johnson has pushed back House votes until at least Oct. 14 as the partial shutdown continues.