Trump: ‘Nothing new on the shutdown’ on Day 3 of closure
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump met Monday with his Homeland Security secretary and other officials to discuss border security issues as a partial government shutdown over his U.S.-Mexico border wall entered Christmas without a clear resolution in sight.
Though both sides have moved on the money, they aren’t budging on the wall. The White House insisted Trump will reject any deal that does not include money for a wall or fence; Democrats held firm in their opposition to a wall or other physical barrier.
“Nothing new. Nothing new on the shutdown. Nothing new. Except we need border security,” Trump told reporters at the White House as he answered telephone calls from children who want to know when Santa will get to their homes.
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders of Congress, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, said that as long as Trump keeps listening to the House Freedom Caucus and others on the right flank, there is no easy resolution to the impasse.