Trump talks with Democrats fail to yield breakthrough as US shutdown nears

Democrats strike optimistic tone after high-stakes meeting but Republicans accuse rivals of hostage-taking'

A high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and top congressional Democrats on Monday resulted in no apparent breakthrough in negotiations to keep the government open, with JD Vance declaring afterwards: I think we are headed into a shutdown."

Democrats, who are refusing to support the GOP's legislation to continue funding beyond Tuesday unless it includes several healthcare provisions, struck a more optimistic tone following the Oval Office encounter, which also included the Republican leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives.