The Needle: Trump Uses Shutdown to Harm Democratic Cities, D.C. Used As Training Ground For Local ICE Enforcement, And Dept. of Ed Sends Shakedown Letters

• Max pain: Convicted felon and President Donald Trump is making moves to focus the pain of the government shutdown on Democratic-led cities. The White House has halted billions of previously approved funds across several programs. Trump plans to meet Thursday with his budget director, Russell Vought, to discuss “Democrat agencies” he can cut. Minus one point for cruel partisanship. -1 [NYT, NYT, Bulwark] • Training days: Since August, D.C. has become a training ground for immigration enforcement in American cities, as federal agents worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Department to arrest people suspected of living in the country without authorization. The new MPD policy allowing officers to share information with immigration enforcement remains in place, and MPD officers are st