Administration

Trump accuses Dems of using shutdown to try to beat him in 2020

President Trump on Thursday called Democrats’ opposition to his proposed border wall “strictly political” and accused the party of seeking an advantage in the 2020 presidential election as a partial government shutdown entered its 13th day.

Trump tweeted that the shutdown is “only because of the 2020 presidential election,” arguing that Democrats are “going all out on the desperately needed Wall and Border Security – and Presidential Harassment.”

“For them, strictly politics!” he tweeted. 

{mosads}The tweet echoed comments Trump made during a lengthy and at-times meandering Cabinet meeting a day earlier, when he claimed the government is partially shuttered because “Democrats are looking to 2020.”

The shutdown neared the end of its second week as the White House and Democrats remained at odds over funding for Trump’s desired wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump said during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that the shutdown would continue for “as long as it takes” to get proper funding for border security.

“I think the people of the country think I’m right,” Trump said.

While the president has attempted to hold Democrats responsible for the partial shutdown, he declared during a December Oval Office meeting that he would be “proud” to close down the government over the border wall funding.

Democrats have remained steadfast in refusing to meet Trump’s funding demand, insisting that the wall would be ineffective and immoral.

Democrats are set to take over the House majority on Thursday, giving the party the power to move legislation, conduct government oversight and issue subpoenas.

House Democrats on Thursday are poised to pass a continuing resolution that would fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8, along with a legislative package to fund the remaining agencies through the end of the fiscal year.

The continuing resolution includes $1.3 billion in funding for border security, well short of the $5 billion Trump has requested for his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate passed a stopgap measure in December that contained $1.6 billion for border security.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said the Senate will not vote on the House measure unless Trump gives an indication he would sign it.

Trump met Wednesday at the White House with congressional leaders from both parties, but there were few signs of progress in negotiations after the gathering. The president invited congressional leaders back to the White House for another round of talks on Friday.

Tags Democratic Party Donald Trump Government shutdown Mitch McConnell Trump tweets

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