Trump Says Military to Build Border Wall if Democrats Refuse
Share
WASHINGTON — Arguing heatedly in public with Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump threatened repeatedly on Tuesday to shut down the government if Congress doesn’t provide the money he says is needed to build a wall at the Mexican border.
“If we don’t get what we want, one way or the other, whether it’s through you, through military, through anything you want to call, I will shut down the government. I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down.” — President Donald Trump
Trump’s comments came as he opened a contentious meeting with Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, with the government looking at a possible partial shutdown on Dec. 21 when funding for some agencies will expire.In his first encounter with the newly empowered Democrats after their midterm victories in the House, Trump heckled the leaders as they said legislation to keep the government open and provide additional border security could pass both houses of Congress. Previewing what is expected to be a tense relationship in the new year, the group squabbled on national TV in the Oval Office as Trump said major wall funding was vital.
“If we don’t get what we want, one way or the other, whether it’s through you, through military, through anything you want to call, I will shut down the government,” Trump said. “I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down.”
Seeking Far More for Long-Stalled Wall
Barely a half hour passed before the Democrats had exited a private meeting with the president, issuing stern warnings.
“This Trump shutdown, this temper tantrum that he seems to throw, will not get him his wall and will hurt a lot of people.” — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
“This Trump shutdown, this temper tantrum that he seems to throw, will not get him his wall and will hurt a lot of people,” said Schumer.Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledged Tuesday that the GOP-led House has yet to pass legislation that includes the $5 billion in border wall funds that Trump has been requesting. The reality is he likely lacks the votes from his Republicans who will lose their majority at the end of the month.
Trump is seeking far more for his long-stalled border wall than the $1.6 billion the Senate has agreed to for border security, including physical barriers and technology along the U.S. southern border
The public Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and the Democrats began civilly, with Trump noting progress for criminal justice legislation in the Senate. But the session quickly unraveled as he mentioned his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump Squabbles With the Democrats Over Wall Funding
Said Trump with a smile: “And then we have the easy one, the wall. That will be the easiest of all, what do you think Chuck?” Schumer shot back sternly: “It’s called funding the government.”
“And then we have the easy one, the wall. That will be the easiest of all, what do you think Chuck? It’s called funding the government.” — President Donald Trump
Constantly interrupting, Trump squabbled with the Democrats over whether wall funding could be approved in the House or Senate without Democratic votes. When Pelosi said he did not have support in the House, Trump interjected: “Nancy, I do.”Pelosi later said: “This has spiraled downwards.”
After Pelosi and Schumer noted Democratic success in the midterm elections, the president asked whether Republicans had won the Senate in the November election.
“When the president brags he has won North Dakota and Indiana, he’s in real trouble,” retorted Schumer with a smile.
RELATED TOPICS:
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
Crime /
8 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
News /
8 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
Business /
11 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
Politics /
12 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
Latest /
12 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
Sports /
12 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
News /
13 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
A Minnesota man who disappeared Friday while rescuing his two young children from the rain-swollen Mississippi River was found dead by autho...
News /
7 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
News /
7 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
Economy /
8 hours ago
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
Crime /
8 hours ago
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
News /
8 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
Business /
11 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
Politics /
12 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
Featured /
3 days ago