Democrats Dismiss Trump Firing Threats as US Shutdown Drags On

Democrats are standing firm in the face of President Donald Trump’s threats to leverage the US shutdown to fire thousands of federal workers and extract political revenge, with the two sides locked in a standoff that raises the prospects of lengthy furloughs and a prolonged disruption in government services.

The leaders of both parties are sticking to their talking points as the first shutdown in nearly seven years enters its third day. Lower-level negotiations have failed to strike a deal and another Senate vote Friday on a House-passed temporary spending bill is expected to fail.

The Senate is unlikely ...