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On Politics

Thu Oct 9 2025

Sudiksha Kochi | Congress and Campaigns Reporter

@KochiSudiksha

Hello, readers! Welcome back to another edition of OnPolitics. One more day until FriYAY!

The federal government shutdown continues, as Democrats and Republicans have yet to arrive at some sort of agreement to reopen the government. Yesterday, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries butted heads at the Capitol in a moment that quickly went viral. Jeffries at one point told Lawler, "Keep your mouth shut," as the two argued over the shutdown.

Here's a rundown of some other headlines:

Trump announces Israel-Hamas deal

President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 8 that Israel and Hamas have agreed to implement the first phase of a peace deal aimed at ending the two-year conflict. The agreement comes after multiple failed attempts to defuse the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage.

The first phase of Trump's plan called for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of an agreement in exchange for the release of Palestinians jailed in Israel. After every hostage has been released, Trump's plan said Hamas members who agree to give up their weapons would receive amnesty. It also called for the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid.

Hostages are likely to begin to be released on Oct. 13, although they could be returned sooner, a senior White House official said.

In the meantime, Trump's continues to muse about his potential, with legacy and the Nobel Peace Prize on his mind.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 9, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS

Trump to undergo medical exam tomorrow

Trump is set to undergo a medical checkup at Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday, Oct. 10, in what will be the 79-year-old president's second exam at Walter Reed this year. His visit to the doctor will come after Trump was diagnosed in July with chronic venous insufficiency that has resulted in visible swelling in his lower legs around his ankles.

Trump's most recent physical at Walter Reed was on April 11. White House physician U.S. Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, in a report released after the exam , said the president was in excellent health and his history of high cholesterol was "well controlled."

Politics pit stop

•	Military wife confronts Mike Johnson as shutdown drags on, says her kids "could die"
•	Trump's National Guard deployments in Chicago, Portland face legal tests
•	Who is Sen. Richard Blumenthal? Trump heaps on attacks following Bondi hearing
•	What's next legally for James Comey? His team plans to argue to dismiss the charges.

Handful of Senate Democrats could end the shutdown

If there's a way out of the government shutdown, it has everything to do with Democrats in the United States Senate.

The more moderate ones – and those eyeing retirement – are widely seen as the linchpins who can supply the votes to get the country out of the current mess. Trump and Republicans already have two Senate Democrats on their side, plus Maine Independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats. But to pass a funding bill that reopens government, the GOP still needs five more lawmakers to break ranks.

Who are the Democrats to watch in this shutdown fight?

When did the 2025 government shutdown start? Here's a timer.

Got a burning question or comment for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at SKochi@gannett.com.