President Trump told Democrat leaders Friday he was willing to keep the government partially shuttered for months or years to get more money for border security.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer first described the threat after a meeting with Mr. Trump at the White House, where he said the budget standoff remained at an impasse.
“He said he would keep the government closed for a very long period of time — months or even years,” said Mr. Schumer, standing beside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders outside the White House.
Later, Mr. Trump confirmed the remark at a Rose Garden press conference.
“Absolutely, I did say that,” the president said, adding that negotiations will continue over the weekend and the shutdown standoff could end quickly.
“I hope it won’t go on beyond even a couple more days. It could end very quickly,” he said.
The partial shutdown, affecting 25 percent of the federal government, has lasted 14 days.
Mr. Trump has demanded $5.6 billion for border security, including funds to build a barrier on the southern border that was one of his top campaign promises.
Democrats fiercely oppose the “border wall.” Mrs. Pelosi has called a border wall “immoral.”
Mr. Schumer said that at the meeting they pressed Mr. Trump to reopen closed departments and agencies before negotiating for more border security funds.
“He resists,” Mr. Schumer said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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