Shutdown Saga: Trump Considers National Emergency

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Currents News Staff

President Trump is not backing down on his demand for his long-promised wall.

“We have to have border security. If we don’t have border security we’re going to be crime-ridden and it’s going to get worse and worse,” said Trump.

Democratic officials oppose the wall, and its price tag.

“I was shocked at what he said. He said I demand it my way, $5.6 billion for a big concrete wall, and the government could be shut down for months or even years,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

A source saying the president might tap military funding for wall construction.

“I may declare a national emergency dependent on what’s going to happen over next few days,” said Trump.

That idea has already drawn criticism.

“We can’t allow this continual process that was really modernized by the Tea Party that if I don’t get what I want, if I don’t get what I don’t have the votes for, if I don’t get what the country doesn’t want, I’m just going to shut down the government,” said Rep. Adam Schiff.

As this debate continues, the partial government shutdown rolls on, and both sides are blaming each other.

“This shutdown could end tomorrow and it could also go on for a long time. It really depends on the Democrats,” Trump said.

“There is one, only one, cause of this shutdown and that is President Trump,” said Schumer.

President Trump also said he expects “very serious talks” on the issue over the next few days.

Democratic Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen say no non-shutdown related legislation should be taken up until the matter is resolved.