Washington | Donald Trump abruptly rejected a “foolish” bipartisan plan on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) to prevent a Christmas-time government shutdown, instead telling the House Speaker and Republicans to essentially renegotiate – days before a deadline when federal funding runs out.

Trump’s sudden entrance into the debate and new demands sent Congress spiralling as legislators try to wrap up work and head home for the holidays. It has left Speaker Mike Johnson scrambling to engineer a new plan before Friday’s deadline to keep government open.

AP