Republicans are losing ground with their own base as the government shutdown drags into a third day.
Month: October 2025
The first Friday morning of the month typically brings a quiet hush around 8:30 a.m. eastern as everyone awaits the Labor Department’s crucial monthly jobs report. Not this month, though.
Summary of main Trump News today
His administration is targeting federal funding in Democrat-led areas and he is continuing to implement policies that echo the Project 2025 blueprint. In foreign policy, Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas regarding a peace proposal for Gaza. Major news regarding Donald Trump on October 3, 2025, centers on his actions amidst the ongoing government shutdown.
Government shutdown and Project 2025
Weaponizing the shutdown: On the third day of the government shutdown, the Trump administration continued to freeze billions of dollars in federal funding for infrastructure and energy projects in states and cities with Democratic representation. This includes a pause on $2.1 billion for transit projects in Chicago and an earlier freeze of $18 billion in New York.
Embracing Project 2025: Despite previously distancing himself from the controversial Project 2025 blueprint during his campaign, Trump is now openly embracing its strategy. He met with budget director Russell Vought, an architect of Project 2025, to identify “Democrat Agencies” to cut.
Federal workforce: The administration is threatening mass layoffs of federal workers and has implemented controversial tactics, such as auto-generated emails that assign blame for the shutdown to Democrats, affecting departments like Education.
Economic fallout: The shutdown has delayed the monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leaving economists without crucial data on the state of the economy.
Foreign policy
Gaza ultimatum: Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas, stating the group has until Sunday, 6 p.m. EST, to accept a ceasefire proposal or face “all hell”. The plan has reportedly been accepted by Israel but received mixed reactions internationally.
“Armed conflict” with drug cartels: Trump declared that the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, citing recent military strikes on boats in the Caribbean. A spokesperson for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman confirmed support for the move.
Funding and political controversies
New York counterterrorism funding: Following bipartisan efforts, the Trump administration reversed cuts to $187 million in counterterrorism funding for New York City. This happened after the initial cuts, reportedly made without Trump’s knowledge, drew condemnation.
Targeting universities: The administration is offering federal grants to universities that adopt conservative policies, including limitations on diversity and inclusion initiatives. California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to pull state funding from any university that accepts the proposal.
Political messaging: Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that Trump is “trolling the Democrats” with the funding cuts but framed the administration’s actions as making “tough decisions” during the shutdown.— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 3, 2025
Main #News #Now
#Top news for Friday, October 3, 2025, is dominated by the third day of a U.S. government shutdown, with President Donald Trump threatening mass layoffs of federal workers and targeting funding for projects in Democratic-led states
U.S. politics
Government shutdown: In a stalemate between congressional Republicans and Democrats over funding, the federal government entered its third day of a full shutdown. Trump’s ultimatum: President Trump has threatened mass layoffs of federal employees and major cuts to agencies. He also announced the suspension of $2.1 billion in federal infrastructure funding for Chicago and initially cut $187 million in counterterrorism funding for New York before reversing course.
Blame and protest: White House officials and some Republicans blame Democrats, while Democrats and federal employees protest the actions, citing violations of protocol and law. The shutdown has also delayed the September jobs report.Echoing Project 2025: Critics of the Trump administration point to its actions as mirroring proposals outlined in Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint that Trump’s campaign had previously distanced itself from.
Hatch Act investigation: A Democratic Representative is calling for an investigation into the Trump administration for allegedly violating the Hatch Act by inserting partisan messaging blaming Democrats into official government communications and websites.
International affairs
Gaza deadline: President Trump has issued a deadline of Sunday evening for Hamas to accept a peace deal for Gaza.
Russia and Ukraine: Russia is making slow advances into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with analysts suggesting this could disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. Meanwhile, Europe is considering creating a “drone wall” to counter perceived threats from Russia after recent drone incursions near airports.
Haiti violence: A UN official has condemned alleged summary executions and unlawful drone strikes by Haitian police against gang members.
India and Pakistan: India is calling for Pakistan to be held accountable for alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Church of England: The Church of England has appointed its first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
Business and economy
Stalled economy: Economists are concerned about the impact of the government shutdown, as it prevents the release of key data like the jobs report and creates economic uncertainty.
Financial technology: Global financial cooperative Swift announced plans to use blockchain technology to enable instant cross-border payments for financial institutions.
Other stories
Yosemite tragedy: A 23-year-old climbing star, identified in some reports as a woman, has died in a fall from Yosemite’s El Capitan.
New York counterterrorism funding restored: After being temporarily cut, $187 million in counterterrorism funding for New York was fully restored following bipartisan pressure on the Trump administration.
California refinery fire: A massive fire has broken out at a Chevron refinery in Southern California.
share.google/aimode/I5hzGbpj…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 3, 2025
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 3, 2025