Government shutdown at risk as Trump's demands put Speaker Johnson in a bind
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A government shutdown at risk, House Speaker Mike Johnson is fighting to figure out how to meet President-elect Donald Trump's sudden demands -- and keep his own job. Trump said early Thursday that Johnson will "easily remain speaker" for the next Congress if he "acts decisively and tough" in coming up with a new plan to also increase the debt limit, a stunning request just before the Christmas holidays. It has put the beleaguered speaker in a bind. Johnson holed up in the Speaker's office with colleagues trying to chart a path forward. Federal offices are being told to prepare to shutter operations ahead of Friday's midnight deadline. Democrats say a deal is a deal, and Republicans should stick with their agreement.
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