President Donald Trump is scheduled to greet Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney at the White House today at 11:30 AM ET, according to a NEWSMAX announcement. This meeting occurs as new polling data from Oct. 4-6 by EkonUS/YouGov America indicates 38% of registered voters approve of Trump's handling of the federal government shutdown, with 53% disapproving. The same poll shows 44% of registered voters blame Trump and Republicans in Congress most for the shutdown, compared to 35% who blame Democrats in Congress. Further polling from EkonUS/YouGov America between Oct. 4-6 reveals that 43% of registered voters approve of Trump's overall job performance as president, while 55% disapprove. In the same period, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has an approval rating of 38% among registered voters, with 45% disapproving, according to the pollsters. In other political news, House Republicans have cancelled votes on 18 scheduled session days for 2025, out of 104 originally planned through this week, plus three additional days, according to data compiled by a House data visualization. Separately, Finland's President Stubb announced he will deliver messages from his recent Kyiv visit to President Trump. Stubb and Finnish PM Orpo are expected in Washington on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Senator Chuck Grassley commented to Bondi that "Arctic Frost" was "worse than Watergate." Meanwhile, an opinion piece published on Fox News by an individual identified as having been held captive since Oct. 7, states that President Trump saved them and believes he can free remaining hostages. Flight records indicate two US Air Force C-17A Globemaster IIIs departed Biggs Army Air Field, Texas, yesterday, arriving at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro is encouraging voters to retain Justices Donohue, Dougherty, and Wecht on the Supreme Court. Separately, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor, Treasurer Stacy Garrity, reportedly deleted a tweet cheering for the Eagles.
