Government shutdown: Trump hits out at Democrats for rejecting offer of 'compromise' over Mexico border wall
Donald Trump lashed out at the Democrats after they rejected his so-called “compromise” proposal to end the US government shutdown and secure $5.7bn in funding for his border wall.
The president accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of being a “radical” and acting “irrationally” during a series of tweets on Sunday and blamed his opponents for the continuing impasse, which has now entered its 31st day.
Ms Pelosi responded by calling on Mr Trump to re-open the government before starting talks on border issues, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the president’s plan would be blocked.
The government shutdown, now the longest federal closure in American history, has prompted some celebrities to speak up on the continuing standoff between Mr Trump and Democrats. For instance, it sparked a feud between rapper Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, and Fox News personality Tomi Lahren. After Ms Lahren chided the "Bodak Yellow" singer for speaking out against the government shutdown, Mr Almanzar replied "Leave me alone I will dog walk you."
Lady Gaga also chimed in mid-song during a performance on Las Vegas to weigh in on the government shutdown. “If the f***ing president of the United States could please put our government back," the "Bad Romance" singer said. "There are people who live paycheck to paycheck and need their money.”
Other celebrities have responed to the government shutdown in philanthropic ways, including New Age personality Deepak Chopre and rock musician Jon Bon Jovi. In partnership with GoFundMe, Mr Chopra donated $10,000 to the company's crowdfunding campaign for furloughed federal workers. Mr Bon Jovi also offered free meals to government employees on Monday.
Furthermore, the government shutdown has led to some crippling effects on federal workers and public schools. The federal closure has forced some government workers to seek unemployment insurances, and according to a recent report, about 58% of furloughed employees are experiencing negative health effects due to the shutdown. Public schools are also concerned that they might not have enough funds to provide lunches to children. For instance, one school district in North Carolina is rationing off lunches to ensure that there is enough food to last them throughout the continuining shutdown.
Welcome to our coverage of the US government shutdown as it enters its 31st day on Monday.
It is now almost a month since the president refused to sign a government funding bill without $5.7 billion for his border wall. An estimated 460,000 employees are still working without pay, and another 340,000 workers have been placed on leave.
The impasse appears no closer to ending after Donald Trump's so-called "compromise" proposal was rejected by Democrats, sparking a presidential tweet barrage on Sunday night.
Yesterday we reported how federal workers were turning to pawnbrokers for short-term loans because they are still not getting paid during the longest government shutdown in the country's history.
Donald Trump had unveiled his supposed "compromise" proposal during a live televised address on Saturday. It involved extending protections for some undocumented immigrants for three years in exchange for $5.7bn for his border wall. Democrats rejected the proposal as "unacceptable" and said it did not "represent a good faith effort to restore certainty to people's lives."
It led to a series of tweets from the president on Sunday, including one which accused House speaker Nancy Pelosi of moving "so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat."
The president also sought to head off criticism from right-wing groups by insisting that his proposals did not involve an amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
He also implied he could launch a "big push" to deport millions of illegal immigrants if he does not get funding for his border wall.
In another series of tweets, the president highlighted praise for his proposals from his supporters, including Republican senators and the actor James Woods, before unveiling an official White House list of "The Historic Results of President Donald J. Trump’s First Two Years in Office."
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to bring Donald Trump's proposal to the floor this week but is unlikely to receive the 60 votes needed to pass legislation. Republicans have a 53-47 majority and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has predicted his party would block the plans.
"If he opens the government, we'll discuss whatever he offers, but hostage taking should not work," Schumer said, referring to the hundreds of thousands of federal employees who are not being paid. "It's very hard to negotiate when a gun is held to your head."
Asked when the Senate might consider the president's proposal, Mr McConnell's spokesman David Popp said on Sunday: "When we have (a plan) we will be sure to let everyone know."
Vice president Mike Pence has compared Donald Trump to Martin Luther King Jr as he defended the president's latest proposal to end the government shutdown and secure funding for a border wall.
In an interview on CBS on Sunday - the day before Martin Luther King Jr Day - he quoted the civil rights leader's "I Have a Dream" speech as he called on Congress to reach a deal.
A restaurant owned by musician Jon Bon Jovi is offering free meals to federal workers and their families today because of the government shutdown.
JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, announced on Facebook it will provide "a delicious meal" to furloughed workers between 12pm and 2pm.
The restaurant is providing the meals in partnership with the family foundation of New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, who took office five days ago following his election win against Republican nominee Kim Guadagno.
Most schools and businesses are closed on Monday for the federal holiday celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr and there are several parades and marches planned across the country.
Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Friday to "encourage all Americans to recommit themselves to Dr King’s dream by engaging in acts of service to others, to their community, and to our nation."
It is not clear what Mr Trump will be doing, as he has no public events scheduled. Last year he played golf in Florida.
A relief fund for federal workers affected by the shutdown, set up by crowdfunding website GoFundMe on Saturday, has raised more than $92,000 in two days.
The money raised will go to nonprofit organisations offering food, counseling, and housing support to government employees who are either working without pay or on leave.
There are also thought to be more than 1,500 separate GoFundMe campaigns set up by individual federal workers.
A restaurant owned by musician Jon Bon Jovi is providing free meals to local government workers and their families during the US federal government shutdown.
JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey (the singer's native state), announced on Facebook it would provide the free meals to workers hit by the shutdown between 12pm and 2pm local time on Monday.
The meals are a result of a partnership with governor Phil Murphy's organisation the Phil and Tammy Murphy Family Foundation.
JBJ Soul Kitchen opened in 2011 and allows customers to pay a donation or volunteer to pay for their meals.
As the longest government shutdown in US history stretches into a fifth week, America's safety net no longer feels so safe.
Millions of low-income Americans who rely on food and rental assistance are becoming increasingly worried vital federal programs designed to prevent them from falling through the cracks will disappear if the political stalemate in Washington continues.
Doris Cochran is a disabled mother of two young boys living in subsidized housing in Arlington, Virginia. She's stockpiling canned foods to try to make sure her family won't go hungry if her food stamps run out. She says she just doesn't know "what's going to happen" and that's what scares her the most.
President Donald Trump's administration in recent weeks has scrambled to restore some services across the government.
Lady Gaga spoke out against Donald Trump during her Las Vegas show on Saturday, pausing mid-song to say: “If the f***ing president of the United States could please put our government back... there are people who live paycheck to paycheck and need their money.”
GoFundMe started their own fundraiser to help furloughed government workers. It has raised over $90,000 in two days from over 1,000 people. GoFundMe CEO Rob Solomon announced the fundraiser. The crowdfunding campaign kicked off with $10,000 from prominent New Age personality Deepak Chopra. GoFundMe also matched his donation.
The government shutdown has led to some school administrators fearing that they might not be able to have enough food to provide to children. Per Business Insider, one school district has already rationed children's lunches by removing bottled water and juice as options, and reducing the amount of fruit and vegetables the children are given.
The government shutdown has also taken a toll on the food stamp program. According to PBS, about 2,500 retailers are prevented from taking any form of food stamps since they need to renew their EBT debit card licenses. They aren't able to apply for renewal under the shutdown.
Musician Bon Jovi is providing free meals to furloughed government workers through his New Jersey restaurant JB Soul Kitchen. Federal government workers are able to receive free lunch on Monday between noon and 2 pm.
