President Donald Trump declared he is proud to shut down the U.S. government over funding for his proposed southern border wall if Democratic lawmakers will not give him his requested 5 billion dollars, in a fiery Oval Office meeting Tuesday.
“I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck,” Trump declared. Democrats have said that they will only go so far as to give Trump 1.3 billion dollars for border security funding in the latest spending bill, while Republicans have said the president must get at least 5 billion.
.@POTUS: “I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck.” pic.twitter.com/JcKIZov26E
— Sean Doody (@swdoody) December 11, 2018
The two sides have been at an impasse for nearly a month of negotiations with the deadline coming the Friday before Christmas.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 11: U.S. President Donald Trump (2R) talks about border security with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (R) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as Vice President Mike Pence sits nearby in the Oval Office on December 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Congress has already funded nearly three-fourths of the government and a partial shutdown would lessen the stakes involved over negotiations.
….People do not yet realize how much of the Wall, including really effective renovation, has already been built. If the Democrats do not give us the votes to secure our Country, the Military will build the remaining sections of the Wall. They know how important it is!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018