On shutdown, Trump vows to wait as long as it takes for wall funding

By Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after holding a video call with U.S. military service members in the Oval Office on Christmas morning in Washington, U.S., December 25, 2018. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

 

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is prepared to wait as long as it takes to get $5 billion from taxpayers for his U.S.-Mexico border wall, a demand that has triggered a partial shutdown of the federal government that is now in its fifth day.

 

With no immediate end to the shutdown in sight, Trump made his remarks during a surprise visit to Iraq and blamed the shutdown on Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who was expected to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3.

 

Trump had previously said he was prepared for a lengthy shutdown and when asked on Wednesday how long he would wait to get what he wants, he said, "Whatever it takes."

 

"Nancy is calling the shots," said the Republican president, suggesting that her opposition to his demand for wall funding had to do with Pelosi's need for votes to become speaker.

 

Pelosi largely locked up the speakership weeks ago.

 

"The American public is demanding a wall," Trump said while on the ground at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

 

During a televised Dec. 11 meeting with Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Trump had said he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security" but has since shifted the blame to Democrats.

 

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly promised Mexico would pay for his proposed wall. After Mexico repeatedly refused to do so, he began seeking U.S. taxpayer funding for the wall, which he sees as vital to controlling illegal immigration.

 

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in late November found that improved border security was a top-three priority for only about 31 percent of Americans surveyed.

 

Even with both chambers of Congress and the White House under Republican control for the past two years, former real estate developer Trump has not gained full funding for his wall.

 

Democrats and some Republicans view it as a costly, unneeded and ineffective project, but some Republicans support the idea and back Trump's demand for $5 billion in partial funding.

 

"His resolve is very firm," Representative Mark Meadows, a conservative Republican, told CNN.

 

Following weeks of failed talks between Trump and congressional leaders, parts of the U.S. government shut down on Saturday, affecting about 800,000 employees of the Departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and other agencies.

 

Most of the federal government, which directly employs almost 4 million people, is unaffected. The Defense Department and other key agencies are fully funded through Sept. 30.

 

Congress was scheduled to reconvene after a holiday break on Thursday and resume debate on the matter.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Bill Trott)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-12-27

Better tell the Mexicans then, they are paying I believe?

 

Or didn't that work out? ????

This idiot will get impeached before he gets funding for a wall .

Mexico is paying for the wall, he's said it hundreds of time, unless he forgot...

 

 

He's already been talking more about a slatted fence you can see through.   So, if he drops the concrete wall, I am reasonably sure that Congress is going to allow for the building of more fencing along the border.   There is no doubt some areas would benefit from fencing, but I suspect the benefit would be marginal and not cost effective.   

 

Regardless of what you build, it still has to be monitored otherwise you have people going over, or tunneling under.   Then there is the cost of maintenance.   

 

If Trump would listen to the experts, a combination of electronic surveillance, drones, heat seeking sensors etc. are all apart of a comprehensive border security plan.   He doesn't have a plan.   He has a silly promise to keep.

 

Finally, and most importantly, is the need for human resources to screen asylum seekers and programs to assist those who come to work.   Asylum cases need to be screened quickly.

 

Ok so there's a (partial) shutdown - so what !

8 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Ok so there's a (partial) shutdown - so what !

As long as it is not YOU, who has to work for no payment...

I read somewhere (#$%@ me, if I remember where), that the <removed>in chief only spend 6% of the funds, given for border security!

How about spending some more money of that?

Or did he really think "Oh this one is for BORDER security, but I want BOARDER security! Bigly important!"

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Even with both chambers of Congress and the White House under Republican control for the past two years, former real estate developer Trump has not gained full funding for his wall.

 

Maybe Trump should read this great self-help book called The Art of the Deal written by a "stable genius." 

Making America Grate....again and again

2 hours ago, helpisgood said:

 

Maybe Trump should read this great self-help book called The Art of the Deal written by a "stable genius." 

He didn't write it or read it. 

5 hours ago, DM07 said:

As long as it is not YOU, who has to work for no payment...

These folks who are laid-off will get back pay.

Hang in there Donald! You back down now, you're a one-term President for sure.

1 minute ago, Boon Mee said:

These folks who are laid-off will get back pay.

Hang in there Donald! You back down now, you're a one-term President for sure.

????????????

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"His resolve is very firm,"

Yes, he is known for that. Also for eloquence, and honesty. Ah, respect..., he respects women, ...and non-Caucasians. He is also a talented talent-spotter who hires only the best, which subsequently get fired for being the worst.

He is - in a nutshell - a very stable genius with a very firm resolve, and a very public record of... stuff.

PT must protect America He took a oath to protect it like any other President  in over 250 year's ! American's  for change want  to keep out illegal entry,terrorist, gang member's and drug's at the  southern border! Stay the course Mr. President we have your back! 

 

Don't back down DJT. Just make it clear to one and all that it is the Dems who are blocking this.

7 hours ago, keith101 said:

This idiot will get impeached before he gets funding for a wall .

Rubbish.

1 hour ago, Boon Mee said:

These folks who are laid-off will get back pay.

Hang in there Donald! You back down now, you're a one-term President for sure.

In which case, the dems may as well hold out as well, as nobody is inconvienienced. 

14 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Don't back down DJT. Just make it clear to one and all that it is the Dems who are blocking this.

Who would of thought that the elected  Dem politician's in America would stoop to such neglect! Must do what ever it takes to get funding for the Wall! Must protect the country from the large increase of illegal entry's

7 hours ago, keith101 said:

This idiot will get impeached before he gets funding for a wall .

The only "idiots" are those that still think he's going to be impeached. You obviously don't understand impeachment requirements. To begin with, YOU HAVE TO BE GUILTY  of an impeachable offense. 

51 minutes ago, riclag said:

PT must protect America He took a oath to protect it like any other President  in over 250 year's ! American's  for change want  to keep out illegal entry,terrorist, gang member's and drug's at the  southern border! Stay the course Mr. President we have your back! 

 

Remind me, who was president in 1768?

If you can't add up, keep away from the sums...

58 minutes ago, howbri said:

The only "idiots" are those that still think he's going to be impeached. You obviously don't understand impeachment requirements. To begin with, YOU HAVE TO BE GUILTY  of an impeachable offense. 

Ummm.... I think it’s something for a jury to decide. High crimes and misdemeanors are impeachable, and there is a good argument that trump has committed something in this list below... and I’m thinking the southern district agrees, given the open investigations.... but... not guilty till the judge drops his gavel. Once that happens.... whack ho... the games afoot.

 

ammendment 25 is your friend.... play on suckers

 

“The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials, such as perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, unbecoming conduct, refusal to obey a lawful order, chronic intoxication, and tax evasion. Offenses by officials also include ordinary crimes, but perhaps with different standards of proof and punishment than for nonofficials, on the grounds that more is expected of officials by their oaths of office.”

1 hour ago, howbri said:

8 hours ago, keith101 said:

This idiot will get impeached before he gets funding for a wall .

The only "idiots" are those that still think he's going to be impeached. You obviously don't understand impeachment requirements. To begin with, YOU HAVE TO BE GUILTY  of an impeachable offense. 

 

clearly you do not realize those saying impeachment will occur are the same folks that publish the harvard law review though using different pseudonyms on tvf

January 3, the Dems take the House.

 

Trump needs to focus on cutting a no prosecution deal in exchange for his resignation OR prison reform.

 

His election campaign, transition, Presidency, children and businesses are all under criminal investigation.

 

He’s toast.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Don't back down DJT. Just make it clear to one and all that it is the Dems who are blocking this.

What is another lie in the many lies he has told so far?

 

A simple question for you.

 

WHO ordered the government shut down?

 

Was it 

 

a) Donald Trump

or

b) The Democrats

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Don't back down DJT. Just make it clear to one and all that it is the Dems who are blocking this.

There is a republican majority at the house and the Senate, so he should not need the Dems. What is clear is that he is not even able to get support for a bill from all Republicans! ????

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

Remind me, who was president in 1768?

If you can't add up, keep away from the sums...

 You got me! I'm bad off by 20 years!  1789 -2019.

46 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

January 3, the Dems take the House.

 

Trump needs to focus on cutting a no prosecution deal in exchange for his resignation OR prison reform.

 

His election campaign, transition, Presidency, children and businesses are all under criminal investigation.

 

He’s toast.

 Nonsense!He doesn't have to focus on a no prosecution deal in exchange for anything.A sitting President can't be  criminally indited therefore can't be prosecuted 

1 hour ago, gr8fldanielle said:

dual citizen American/Israeli Chucky Schumer proposed and passed between 30 and 40 billion dollars for Israel's security, but can't do 5 billion for America?

 

Didn’t chucky’s mob offer 25 billion, not that long ago.?

And... didn't Donald refuse this.?

 

1 minute ago, farcanell said:

Didn’t chucky’s mob offer 25 billion, not that long ago.?

And... didn't Donald refuse this.?

 

Things changed PT is looking for a 5 billion deal now !  Very reasonable