President Donald Trump will undergo a routine medical examination on Friday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the White House confirmed. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump will also meet with U.S. troops during his visit to the Bethesda, Maryland, facility before returning to the White House. This marks his second checkup of the year.

Back in April, Trump’s physician, Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, reported that the former president was in “excellent health,” showing strong cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological function. However, in July, Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency — a circulatory condition that impairs blood flow from the legs to the heart. Leavitt attributed minor bruising on Trump’s hand to “frequent handshaking and taking aspirin.”

Leavitt also suggested that Trump may soon travel to the Middle East, pending developments in a proposed peace initiative. If Hamas accepts the first stage of Trump’s plan — which includes a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages — the trip could move forward in the coming weeks.

At the same time, the federal government shutdown continues to strain political relations in Washington. Trump warned that if the impasse persists for several more days, his administration will begin implementing layoffs and spending cuts across multiple federal agencies. He framed the shutdown as an opportunity to eliminate “billions in waste, fraud, and abuse.”

The deadlock centers on healthcare funding. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are pushing to expand Medicaid for undocumented immigrants, while Republicans oppose those measures. The dispute has extended the shutdown into another week.