The White House is in no rush to mediate a deal to end the government shutdown, lacking any urgency to help lawmakers reach an agreement as pressure increases on both parties to solve the stand off.

President Trump has had no direct communication with top Democrats since the shutdown began nearly one month ago. In fact, Trump and his top aides feel like Democrats have no good way out and the administration has made no qualms about using agency messaging to politically blame the opposing party for disrupting government operations.

Trump, meanwhile, has seen his approval largely hold steady as he pursues his agenda unabated.

During past shutdowns, the president would typically look to stay above the fray or help lawmakers reach a deal to reopen the government. But political watchers say T

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