President Trump Nudges Along a Shutdown
President Trump's ties to his own party are fraying, as he lashes out against Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over his stalled legislative agenda. Trump accused the two leaders of rejecting his plan to tie a debt limit increase to a veterans bill, but he's reserved his toughest rhetoric for McConnell, whom he has blamed for the failure of the GOP healthcare bill and in-part for the Russia investigation. It couldn't come at a worse time for Trump, whose administration is in the midst of launching a push for tax reform. He also needs their help to avoid an embarrassingand potentially economically costlygovernment shutdown next month. And, more importantly, they must also work together to raise the debt limit. The new strain comes as Trump has taken steps to back GOP primary challengers to Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent critic, and as Trump has also lashed out at other GOP lawmakers. Taken together, the prospect of a government shutdown grows ever higher the more Trump goes out of his way to criticize his own party. Americans in North Korea have just days to leave the country. A tale of three speeches. And the White House formulates Trump's tweeted transgender military ban. Must Reads, The 200 Americans Living in North Korea Have Little Time Left to Leave TIME's Elizabeth Dias tells the story of the Americans living in North Korea, Facing Big Fights, Kelly Seeks to Restore White House Order New chief of staff tightens control on what Trump sees Associated Press, Trump Tries Presidential, Before Reverting to Old Habits The hot and cold presidency TIME, Again Breaking Ground, Trump Takes the Permanent Campaign to New Heights Rallies are just the beginning LA Times, White House Sets Rules for Military Transgender Ban Guidelines expected to direct Pentagon to stop admitting transgender people, gives Mattis power to remove those serving Wall Street Journal, Trump Clashed With Multiple GOP Senators Over Russia The conversations are evidence of rising tensions between the president and congressional Republicans heading into a critical legislative span Politico, Sound Off, "The only problem I have with Mitch McConnell is that, after hearing Repeal  Replace for 7 years, he failed!That should NEVER have happened!"  President Trump on Twitter, "The Fake News is now complaining about my different types of back to back speeches. Well, there was Afghanistan somber, the big Rally enthusiastic, dynamic and fun and the American Legion  V.A. respectful and strong. Too bad the Dems have no one who can change tones!"  Trump tweets on Thursday morning, Bits and Bites, White House has paperwork ready for Joe Arpaio pardon CNN, Rabbis Drop Out of Jewish Holiday Conference Call With President Trump TIME, Top Trump aide's email draws new scrutiny in Russia inquiry CNN, Federal Judge Blocks Latest Version of Texas Voter ID Law TIME, He Failed!' Donald Trump Targets Mitch McConnell in Series of Morning Tweets TIME,