Washington: The White House escalated the government shutdown confrontation on Wednesday, freezing $26 billion in funds destined for Democratic-led states. The move, which critics described as a political punishment, marked one of the most aggressive steps yet by President Donald Trump’s administration in using the crisis to assert leverage over Congress.

According to officials, the frozen funds include $18 billion earmarked for New York transit projects home to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as well as $8 billion for green-energy initiatives in 16 Democratic-run states, among them California and Illinois.

Vice President JD Vance added to the uncertainty, warning that the administration could broaden layoffs across federal agencies if t

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