Vice President JD Vance says he’s optimistic about the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the U.S. pushes for the next phase of the deal. It’s week four of the government shutdown, and the White House is ramping up pressure with cuts and layoffs. And the demolition of the East Wing raises legal and ethical questions about President Trump’s ballroom project.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Padmananda Rama, Miguel Macias, Dana Farrington, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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