Vought: Mass firings will begin ‘in a day or two’  —  OMB chief Russ Vought told House Republicans on a private call Wednesday that the administration will start mass reduction in force moves, or firings, of federal workers “in a day or two,” according to four people granted anonymity to describe the call.

Trump Admin Tells Furloughed Workers To Set OOO Message Blaming Democrats For Shutdown  —  One health department employee said the directions seemed to be “coercing” subordinates into political activity.  —  After the government shutdown began Wednesday morning, furloughed employees …

Vance says he'll talk Obamacare premiums with Schumer — but only with government open … The federal government shut down in the early morning Wednesday, raising the specter of furloughs for up to 750,000 federal employees, per the Congressional Budget Office.

The Republican Shutdown Argument is a Giant Lie  —  Hey, guys.  Earlier today, my colleague Mona Charen and I talked about President Trump's speech before the generals and admirals, as well as the politics of the government-shutdown fight.  Check it out here.

Pete Hegseth Is Living the Dream  —  A man who retired as a major lectures hundreds of generals about the need to meet his standards.  —  In the end, it was mostly blither.  When Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth announced a gathering of some 800 generals and admirals (with their senior enlisted advisers), rumors ran wild.

Trump's Speech to Generals Was Incitement to Violence Against Americans  —  Military leaders' quiet professionalism offers hope amid a maelstrom.  —  Yesterday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth behaved reprehensibly.

Trump administration cancels nearly $8 billion in climate funding to blue states: Vought … The Trump administration has canceled nearly $8 billion in funding for climate-related projects in primarily Democratic-controlled states, a top administration official said on Wednesday.