White House Briefing: Government Shutdown, Gaza Peace Talks, and National Guard Deployment

Government Shutdown Update

• 📌 White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that employees affected by the shutdown have been furloughed, not laid off, with potential firings contingent on the Senate's vote to reopen the government.
• 📞 The administration is engaging with Democratic senators and has spoken with Speaker Johnson and the Senate Majority Leader to resolve the shutdown.
• 🏛️ The President's stance is clear: reopen the government first, then discuss other national issues.

Gaza Peace Talks and Ceasefire Efforts

• 🕊️ Technical talks are underway in Egypt involving Special Envoy Witco and Jared Kushner regarding a 20-point framework proposed by President Trump for Gaza's future.
• 🤝 All sides of the conflict have reportedly agreed that the war needs to end and have accepted the proposed framework.
• ⏳ The administration is working to expedite a ceasefire and the release of hostages, with technical teams discussing lists of Israeli hostages and political prisoners.
• ⚠️ These negotiations are described as extremely sensitive, and the White House is monitoring them closely without setting a premature timeline.

National Guard Deployment Dispute

• ⚖️ The White House plans to appeal a judge's ruling that issued a temporary restraining order preventing California National Guard troops from deploying to Portland.
• 🏛️ The administration argues that the deployment of National Guard troops is a matter of executive power, citing the federal nature of Washington D.C. where the mayor welcomed troops.
• 🤝 Leavitt urged mayors and leaders in other states, like Portland, to welcome National Guard troops when deployed to address on-the-ground situations.
• 📈 This issue remains in the legal process, with an appeal court decision pending.