Donald Trump has said he never intended to imply Mexico would “write a cheque” to fund a border wall when he repeatedly said the Latin American country “will pay” for the barrier during his election campaign.
The president is making a visit to the US-Mexico frontier just a day after storming out of a meeting with Democrats over their refusal to fund his long-promised wall. During a press conference on Thursday he again denied throwing a “temper tantrum” during the encounter with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi a day earlier. Mike Pence defended his boss by saying that “I don’t recall him ever raising his voice”; the Democrats were “unwilling to even negotiate”, he added.
Mr Trump is on his way to McAllen, Texas, where he will see a patrol station and a section of the frontier at the Rio Grande. Meanwhile, nine of 15 cabinet-level government departments remain unfunded and hundreds of thousands of federal employees are on unpaid leave or working without pay.
Democrats are passing funding legislation — but McConnell is still singing Whitney Houston's 'Count on Me' to the president (figuratively speaking)
From the Associated Press: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is blocking an attempt by Democrats to force a vote on legislation to reopen the federal government.
Democrats went to the Senate floor Thursday and asked for consent to vote on a series of bills that would end the partial government shutdown, which was in its 20th day.
Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland said the bills were uncontroversial and were broadly supported by Republicans in the past. Cardin says the country is being “held hostage” by President Donald Trump as he seeks funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
McConnell objected to the Democratic request, saying he won’t agree to “pointless show votes” on bills Trump won’t sign. McConnell noted that Democrats agreed in December to not vote on a funding package until a deal was reached by Trump and leaders from both parties.
The border wall was a signature campaign promise for Trump. Democrats have called a wall costly, ineffective and immoral.
Trump cancels Davos visit
Donald Trump has cancelled his planned trip to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland later this month, amid the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.
"Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum," Mr Trump tweeted.
FBI agents will not receive paychecks on Friday
From the Associated Press: The association that represents thousands of FBI agents says the partial federal government shutdown is affecting the bureau’s operations.
The FBI Agents Association sent a petition Thursday to the White House and congressional leaders encouraging them to fund the FBI immediately.
The association’s president, Tom O’Connor, told reporters in a conference call that Friday will be the first day that FBI personnel will not receive a paycheck.
He said the problems caused by the shutdown could make it harder to recruit and retain agents, cause delays at the FBI lab and in getting or renewing security clearances.
Mr O’Connor said the FBI’s petition is not about politics, but that financial security for agents is important for national security.
States consider funding the wall for the president
Trump channels Obama to justify the shutdown
The shutdown has hurt a US offshore wind farm, but the Trump administration is working hard to make sure oil drilling isn't impacted — and it may be illegal
Immigrant bodies found about 50 miles from where Trump plans his Texas visit
But she adds she does not want to talk about that until the president announces it.
"These are tragic situations... but as painful as one death is - it is too much to bear - we need a solution to the security of our border".
"What the president is suggesting is not the answer"
"I told the president 'you keep shifting the goal posts so much, they are now outside the stadium'".
She said that the president directly asked for funding for the border wall and she said "no" to that. Ms Pelosi says Democrats support border security.
"Take the chance to say yes," says Ms Pelosi of the bills the House has already passed to open the government.
She says thousands are being "affected by the president's petulance".
Representative Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma, said a declaration would merely be "punting" the issue to the courts, with a number of legal challenges almost certain to follow.
“It’s not the best use of presidential power,” he told MSNBC. “I’d rather get to a deal,” Mr Cole added. “I do think others agree with me.”
