Good evening once again. I am Stephanie Ruhl and welcome to the nightcap. It is day 264 for those of you who are counting of the second Trump administration and the government shutdown is heading into a third week with no sign of progress on a funding bill.

The Senate left town until Tuesday and the House will not be in session all next week.

In the meantime, the White House is following through with the president's threat to permanently fire some federal workers.

Earlier today, OMB director Russell, who has become one of the most powerful people in this administration,

announced that the layoffs have

begun. They're also appealing a judge's ruling that temporarily blocked Trump from sending the

National Guard to the city of Chicago. Meanwhile, another one of the president's perceived enemies

could soon face charges. MSNBC reports that the acting U.S. Attorney in Maryland is moving to seek charges against former national security advisor, Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton.

A complaint or an indictment could come as early as next week.

The Justice Department has already charged New York Attorney General Tish James and former FBI director Jim Comey after public pressure from Trump himself.

The big question now on everyone's mind, who could be next?

With that, let's bring in our nightcap.

Philo Bump is back, former Washington Post columnist.

Mark McKinnon, the best rest of the night, former advisor to both George W. Bush and John McCain,

journalist Oliver Darcy. He is the co-founder of the must- former advisor to both George W. Bush and John McCain, journalist Oliver Darcy.

He is the co-founder of the must-read newsletter status and comedian John Fugel saying

he is the first, he is the prime time host, my God, of serious XM progress.

But here's why I'm tongue-tied.

Because his new book is a must, must-must, must-read. Separation of church and hate. It is out now. All right, Mark, let's start with John Bolton. You know, like people are saying Trump's perceived enemies. They're all assuming it's people from the Biden administration. Oh, no. This mustache man was Trump's, and they're expected next week. Well, not only Trumps, but Bushes.

I worked with him.

Oh, my gosh, I knew that.

No, I know pretty well.

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