Trump's focus on pleasing his most ardent supporters raises questions about reelection strategy  —  President Trump's headstrong refusal to reopen the federal government without new border wall funding has set him on a risky and defiant path for 2019, relying on brazen brinkmanship to shore …

Five lessons that never seem to be learned from shutting down the government  —  Leon Panetta was budget director and White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton and defense secretary and CIA director under President Barack Obama.  He served eight terms in Congress representing California.

Trump signs order freezing federal worker pay hike  —  President Trump signed an executive order Friday eliminating a 2.1% pay raise for federal workers due to take effect in January, following through on a pledge he made in August, CNN reports.  —  The backdrop: In a letter …

A Week Into Government Shutdown, Ire Turns to Fear for Federal Workers  —  When the government shutdown began a week ago, many federal workers were more irked than anxious.  —  They're really anxious now.  What at first seemed like ho-hum political brinkmanship is looking more like a prolonged …

US farmers ‘helpless’ as TPP boosts Aust  —  US farmers are upset that Australia and Canada will soon get a leg up on them under the TPP trade pact, with reduced tariffs selling wheat to Japan.  —  American farmers are facing the “imminent collapse” of key markets and fear uneven trade playing fields …