Trump, Democrats bicker on border wall funding
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump told Democratic leaders in a remarkable on-camera clash he would be “proud” to shut down the federal government if he doesn’t get the $5 billion he is demanding for a border wall with Mexico.
“If we don’t get what we want ... we will shut down the government,” Trump said to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Pelosi and Schumer gave as good as they got, telling Trump he lacks the votes for border wall funding – even in the current Republican-controlled House – and is being irresponsible in threatening to halt the government over a project that would be ineffective at best.
“This has spiraled downward,” Pelosi said in a meeting that featured finger-pointing, arm-waving and raised voices.
Trump said his wall would stop criminals and drug dealers from entering the country; the Democrats said it wouldn’t, and that Trump’s demand for $5 billion is obstructing an agreement that already includes border security and will keep the government open when the current funding bill expires at midnight Dec. 21.
While Trump argued mostly with Pelosi, Schumer chimed in to tell the president he shouldn’t threaten to shut down the government “because you can’t get your way.”
Trump said Pelosi is “in a situation where it’s not easy to talk right now” because she is trying to win votes to become speaker when the new House meets next month. Pelosi countered Trump: “Please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting.”
During the heated argument, Trump said, “I am proud to shut down the government” over his wall, and added later: “I’ll be the one to shut it down. I will take the mantle. And I will shut it down for border security.”
Vice President Pence sat stoned-faced throughout the exchange, even as the participants sought to lighten things up.
“We need border security,” Trump said.
“Yes, we do,” Schumer said.
“See?” Trump said. “We get along.” Schumer told the media that Trump’s “temper tantrum” threatens a government shutdown and it “will not get him his wall.” Pelosi referred to the prospective stoppage as a “Trump shutdown,” and “I asked him to pray over it” in search of a new budget agreement.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later characterized the argument in a statement as “a constructive dialogue.”
And at the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., described the meeting between Trump, Pelosi and Schumer as “spirited.” But McConnell said he hasn’t given up hope that a government shutdown can be avoided.
“I’m sort of hoping for a Christmas miracle here, that we’ll have a level of cooperation that we don’t normally have,” he said.