TRUMP ISN'T GIVING IN ON WALL, GRAHAM SAYS

WASHINGTON A leading Senate Republican close to President Donald Trump says Trump isn’t giving in on his demands for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the issue that’s caused the partial government shutdown that’s now in its fourth week.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says he encouraged Trump during a telephone conversation Sunday to reopen government for a period of weeks to try to negotiate a deal with Democrats that would break the impasse. But the South Carolina Republican said Trump wants a deal first.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also has insisted that Trump end the shutdown first before any negotiating takes place.

“I tried to see if we could open up the government for a limited period of time to negotiate a deal,” Graham said. “The president says ‘Let’s make a deal, then open up the government.’ Nancy Pelosi says even if you opened up the government I wouldn’t fund a wall.”

“What is he supposed to do? Just give in. He’s not going to give in,” Graham said.

The shutdown continues to keep 800,000 federal workers either idled or working without pay.