Trump is mostly business as usual during government shutdown

Shutdown? What shutdown? President Donald Trump is barreling along like the government isn't shuttered, keeping up international and domestic travel while construction crews race to transform the White House to accommodate his new ballroom. Other presidents have cut back on travel and events during past shutdowns, including Trump himself when the government was defunded during his first term. Allies say this business-as-usual strategy makes him look presidential, cutting programs backed by Democrats while making sure other priorities are funded. Democratic critics say it makes Trump look callous as workers go unpaid and some people lose benefits to help them buy food.