Today, NewsForKids.net looks at two stories from the United States. The US government was expected to shut down at the end of the day on Tuesday. And US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to top US military leaders at an unusual meeting in Virginia yesterday.
US Government Expected to Shut Down
The US government was expected to shut down at the end of the day on Tuesday. Republicans and Democrats in Congress were unable to agree on a deal that would provide the money needed to keep the government running.
Republicans, who control the Senate, suggested a “continuing resolution” to keep the government running until November 21.
But Democrats said they wouldn’t support any plan unless it included help for millions of people who could lose their health insurance next year. They also want to reverse some cuts to health care programs for poor people that Republicans included in their tax bill this summer.
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The US government was expected to shut down at the end of the day on Tuesday. Democrats said they would only support a plan if it included help for millions of people who could lose their health insurance. Above, Democratic leaders speaking yesterday on the steps of the US Capitol.
What Happens During a Government Shutdown?
Under a shutdown, the parts of the US government that aren’t completely necessary are shut down. This affects hundreds of thousands of workers. Some workers are told to stay home without pay until the shutdown is over. But people with jobs which are important for safety must continue to work, and count on being paid later. This includes soldiers, firefighters, law enforcement, government doctors, and people working to keep planes safe.
Mr. Trump threatened that if a shutdown happened, he might use the opportunity to cut the jobs of lots of government workers. Under Mr. Trump, tens of thousands of government workers have already lost their jobs. Mr. Trump suggested he will cut workers from areas of government that are important to Democrats.
The last government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, began in 2018, during Mr. Trump’s first term in office. There’s no sign how long this shutdown might last.
Top Military Leaders Brought to Highly Unusual Meeting
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the US military’s top leaders – generals and admirals – back to the US from their posts around the world for a meeting on Tuesday. Gathering all military leaders in one place is extremely unusual. Transportation for the meeting is believed to have cost millions of dollars.
(Source: Aiko Bongolan/US Navy [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Mr. Hegseth, a TV show host who served in the Army in Afghanistan and Iraq, was Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Defense. As Defense Secretary, Mr. Hegseth has already fired several generals and admirals – including the US’s only female four-star admiral.
During the meeting, Mr. Hegseth talked to the officers about the importance of dressing well and looking clean. He said all soldiers must be in good shape, even high level officers. He said it wasn’t okay “to see fat generals and admirals.”
Mr. Hegseth said his new rules would make it harder for people in the military to complain. He also said he wants to allow some behavior that’s currently seen as “bullying”.
Next, Mr. Trump spoke for over an hour. He told the officers that the US faced an “enemy from within”.
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Mr. Trump has already sent National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles and Washington, DC. In recent days, Mr. Trump has sent – or discussed sending – soldiers to Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. Above, US agents face protesters in Portland on Sunday.
In general, it’s illegal in the US to use the military to enforce laws. But Mr. Trump has already sent National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles and Washington, DC. In recent days, Mr. Trump has sent – or discussed sending – soldiers to Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. These cities are led by Democrats, and local leaders have opposed Mr. Trump’s actions.
Mr. Trump said he told Mr. Hegseth that the US could use the cities as “training grounds for our military.”
The audience was silent during the speeches. The US military isn’t supposed to be political. Its members promise to support the country and its Constitution, not any particular politician.
Many people worry that Mr. Trump is trying to make the military more political.