President Trump said on Truth Social that he would meet today with budget director Russell Vought — “he of Project 2025 fame” — “to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut.”

He added: “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity.”

Bloomberg: “The president’s comments escalate a threat from Republicans to use the shutdown to slash the federal bureaucracy. The White House had threatened to announce job cuts as soon as Thursday.”

Wall Street Journal: “Russell Vought has been planning for this moment for years.”

A new Washington Post poll found significantly more Americans blame President Trump and congressional Republicans for the shutdown than Democrats, though many say they are not sure.

Important takeaway: A large majority support Democrats’ call to extend federal health insurance subsidies in general — though just under half support the party demanding this if it extends the government shutdown.

Punchbowl News: “There are some informal bipartisan talks centering around Democrats’ chief demand: an extension of the Obamacare enhanced premium tax credits. We took you inside that big bipartisan Senate floor huddle in Wednesday’s Midday edition.”

“But they’re just that — talks. Party leaders aren’t directly involved. There’s no Senate ‘gang’ to break the deadlock. And the fundamentals of the showdown haven’t changed.”

“Democrats say they can’t trust Republicans and the White House to clinch a bipartisan deal on Obamacare subsidies without a forcing mechanism. Republicans maintain that negotiations can’t take place until the government is reopened. Even then, getting Hill Republicans on board with an Obamacare deal would be a major challenge, with conservatives opposing any extension. Which brings us back to square one — Democrats’ desire for a guarantee that Thune simply can’t give them.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune laid out a path to end the government shutdown, saying he is willing to discuss the shape of future health care negotiations if a “critical mass” of Democrats say they are willing to support a House-passed funding bill in return, Politico reports.

Said Thune: “I keep telling them: When they have eight or 10 — preferably 10, or more — when they have a critical mass, let me know if there’s a conversation they want to have.”

“He insisted he would not negotiate on the substance of an extension while the government is closed.”