President Donald Trump hinted he might strike a deal with Democrats on health care subsidies central to the government shutdown debate, only to reverse course soon after. This sudden shift has left both sides back at an impasse, prolonging a stalemate over federal funding and health care policy.

On the second day of the government shutdown, Democrats allege the White House is using the crisis as a pretext for widespread firings. Both sides show no signs of yielding, while President Trump intensifies attacks on Democratic-led states.