Trump wishes ‘haters’ a Happy New Year
President rejects Dems’ plan to end shutdown without border wall money
WASHINGTON – With no end of a partial shutdown in sight, President Donald Trump rang in the new year Tuesday by denouncing a new Democratic plan to reopen the government because it lacks money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative!” Trump tweeted. “The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!”
Democrats accused Trump of promoting the shutdown by insisting on an expensive wall that would do little or nothing to stop illegal crossings.
Trump “has given Democrats a great opportunity to show how we will govern responsibly & quickly pass our plan to end the irresponsible #TrumpShutdown – just the first sign of things to come in our new Democratic Majority committed to working #ForThePeople,” Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted in promoting her plan.
From the White House, Trump issued mocking greetings to his critics.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA!” Trump tweeted.
He wrote, “2019 WILL BE A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR THOSE NOT SUFFERING FROM TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. JUST CALM DOWN AND ENJOY THE RIDE, GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR OUR COUNTRY!”
Later in the day, Trump issued a more sedate tweet: “Happy New Year!”
Trump taunted Pelosi, who is likely to be elected House speaker for the new Democratic majority.
“Border Security and the Wall ‘thing’ and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker!” he tweeted. “Let’s make a deal?”
The Trump administration invited congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday for a briefing on border security, including plans for the wall.
Pelosi and the Democrats said they already have a plan and will pass it when they take charge of the House of Representatives after it convenes Thursday. The proposal includes fullyear funding for shuttered departments except for the Department of Homeland Security, which handles immigration and border security.