What we’re watching: Trump and Johnson stare down a shutdown

Here’s what we’re watching in transition world today:

🗓️ What we’re watching

House Republican leaders planned to work through Thursday night and into Friday on a Plan C for funding the government, after abandoning their deal with Democrats and failing to pass an alternative backed by President-elect Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Speaker Mike Johnson to return to the original deal.
Trump is insistent that any deal eliminate the debt limit altogether, or at least punt it until after his presidency. 
Johnson and Trump are weighing the pros and cons of a shutdown. 
The blame game for a potential shutdown is already starting, with Vice President-elect JD Vance telling reporters Thursday that Democrats “asked for a shutdown, and I think that’s exactly what they’re going to get.”
Elon Musk’s involvement in the unraveling of the funding bill raised questions about whether he was simply getting a head start on his cost-cutting duties as the leader of the so-called Department of Governmental Efficiency with the blessing of Trump — or freelancing. If there were any hurt feelings between Trump and Musk, it was not apparent in the immediate aftermath.
The collapse of Congress’ spending negotiations is throwing the presidential transition and preparations for Trump’s second inauguration into chaos as Washington stares down the prospect of a government shutdown just after midnight Friday.

🚨What’s up with the nominees?

Senate Republicans have launched a new caucus to support Health and Human Services pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda. 
Trump’s previous pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, is plotting revenge for the when the House Ethics report about him is made public.
Members of the Trump transition arrived at the Energy Department on Tuesday to meet for the first time with department leaders.