Trump wants debt ceiling increase. If not, he says let the government shutdown start now

By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI and MATT BROWN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours before the start of a federal government shutdown, President-elect Donald Trump doubled-down Friday on his insistence that a debt ceiling increase be included in any deal — and if not, let the closures “start now.”

Trump, who is not yet even sworn into the White House, issued his latest demand as House Speaker Mike Johnson arrived early at the Capitol, instantly holing up with some of the most...