U.S. shutdown prolonged…Trump "Democrats started it"

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

President Trump said the federal government shutdown started as a 'kamikaze'-style attack by the Democrats.
He mentioned the possibility of permanent dismissal of federal employees and said that if the shutdown continues many jobs will not be restored.
CNBC warned that the prolonged shutdown poses greater risk to the U.S. economy, and that there are delays in releases of key economic indicators and some wage payments are being postponed.

Hints at permanent dismissal of federal employees

U.S. President Donald Trump, as the federal government shutdown (temporary suspension of operations) continued, criticized the Democrats as "a kamikaze (Japan's suicide attack units during the Pacific War)-like attack."

President Trump, on the 7th (local time), after meeting with Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, at the White House and speaking to reporters, was asked, "Do you have a message to deliver to the Democrats ahead of the Senate's re-vote on the temporary budget (CR)?" He replied, "(The shutdown) was started by them." He also claimed that "they (the Democrats) have nothing to lose and were overwhelmingly defeated in the presidential election," arguing that the Democrats are intentionally prolonging the shutdown.

President Trump said regarding attempts to permanently dismiss federal employees, "I can tell you in 4–5 days," and emphasized, "If the shutdown continues it will be significant, and many jobs will never be restored."

CNBC warned, "The longer the shutdown continues into its seventh day, the greater the risks to the U.S. economy," expressing concern that "releases of key economic indicators have been delayed and some workers' pay is being deferred."

Reporter Kim Dong-hyun 3code@hankyung.com