WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week without a bipartisan deal in sight, President Donald Trump has been laying the groundwork for an extended fight by easing some of the political pressure points that in past shutdowns helped force a truce.

Trump has been tapping alternative funding sources to keep politically popular programs afloat — food assistance for babies, military pay, financial aid for farmers — that when left unfunded in past shutdowns led to widespread public backlash that forced both parties back to the negotiating table.

During this shutdown — already the second-longest on record — Trump has directed the Pentagon to pay military service members with unused Pentagon research funds , has ordered tariff revenues be used to temporari

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