WASHINGTON (AP) — Entering the third week of a government shutdown, Democrats say they are not intimidated or cowed by President Donald Trump’s efforts to fire thousands of federal workers or by his threats of more firings to come.

A federal judge in California on Wednesday temporarily halted the Trump administration’s efforts to lay off federal workers during the government shutdown, calling the move unlawful. Douglas Jackson,

The Education Department said it will continue to process FAFSA, which recently went live, amid the government shutdown.

White House budget chief Russ Vought said on “The Charlie Kirk Show" Wednesday that he expects there to be more federal firings as the government shutdown continues.

The Trump administration will continue paying FBI agents despite the ongoing government shutdown that has frozen paychecks for nearly all federal workers, FBI Director Kash Patel announced.

The two-week-old federal government shutdown is costing the U.S. economy about $15 billion a day in lost output, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday, putting an estimate on its economic toll and urging Democrats to "be heroes" and side with Republicans to end it.

House GOP lawmakers praised President Donald Trump's decision to ensure military pay during the government shutdown while pushing for a broader resolution to the funding impasse.

As the shutdown enters its 15th day, many Democrats say they want a commitment that employees subjected to reductions-in-force, or RIFs, will be rehired before they agree to reopen the government — even as courts independently act to curb the firings.

The head of a U.S. airline trade group urged an end to the 15-day government shutdown, citing concerns about rising pressure faced by air traffic controllers working without pay.