Here in the United States, the Trump administration has paused or canceled about $26 billion in previously allocated funds, primarily targeting states led by Democrats. The cuts come amid the government shutdown. They include two infrastructure projects in New York totaling $18 billion. Meanwhile, the White House’s budget director and chief architect of Project 2025, Russ Vought, reportedly told House Republicans to expect mass firings in the next day or so. On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance sought to blame Democrats.

Vice President JD Vance: “If this thing drags on for another few days or, God forbid, another few weeks, we are going to have to lay people off. We’re going to have to save money in some places so the essential services don’t get turned off in other places. That is the reality of the government shutdown that Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have foisted upon the administration.”