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Government shutdown updates: Leavitt says Trump exploring cutting aid to Portland

"We will not fund states that allow anarchy," she told reporters.

Last Updated: October 4, 2025, 8:50 AM EDT

The federal government remains closed amid a bitter impasse on Capitol Hill over competing congressional spending bills.

President Donald Trump and Republicans have cast blame for the shutdown on Democrats' health care demands, while Democrats insist Republicans need to negotiate.

The Trump administration has threatened mass layoffs of some federal workers during the shutdown.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 29, 2025, 3:34 PM EDT

Trump says Israel has 'our full backing' in their response if Hamas rejects plan

President Donald Trump said they are waiting for approvals "from a lot of different countries that are involved in this" regarding his proposal.

If Hamas ultimately rejects the plan, the president told Netanyahu during his remarks that "you'd have our full backing to do what you would have to do."

"Everyone understands that the ultimate result must be the elimination of any danger posed in the region, and that danger is caused by Hamas," Trump said.

President Donald Trump speaks at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025.
Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock

Sep 29, 2025, 3:17 PM EDT

Trump and Netanyahu leave without taking questions

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not take questions at the end of their remarks.

"I think while we wait for these documents to be signed and get everybody in line, I think it maybe is not really appropriate to take questions," Trump said.

After Trump asked the prime minister if he wanted to take a question or two from a "friendly Israeli reporter," Netanyahu also declined, saying, "I would go by your instinct -- we'll have enough time for questions. Let's settle the issue first."

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the State Dining Room of the White House, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP

The two shook hands before leaving the room.

Sep 29, 2025, 3:07 PM EDT

If Hamas rejects plan, 'Israel will finish the job by itself,' Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Hamas rejects the plan or accepts it and then does "everything to counter it," then "Israel will finish the job by itself.

"This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done," Netanyahu said. "We prefer the easy way, but it has to be done."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Sep 29, 2025, 3:07 PM EDT

Netanyahu says he supports Trump's plan to end war in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu said he supports President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, saying this is a "critical step" to ending the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025.
Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock

"You've proven time and again what I've said many times -- you are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House," Netanyahu said to Trump during the press conference.

"When our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder, we achieve the impossible," Netanyahu added

Netanyahu said if Hamas agrees to the plan, the "first step" will be a "modest withdrawal" from Gaza and the "release of all our hostages within 72 hours."

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