On Day 12 of the shutdown, President Trump plans to hold today's meeting with congressional leaders in the Situation Room as a way of dramatizing security concerns at the border, according to Hill sources in both parties.
The big picture: Top House and Senate leaders from both parties RSVP'd "yes" to yesterday's invitation and will attend, I'm told. Talks were on ice over the holidays, lending drama to face-to-face negotiations despite widespread skepticism about a breakthrough.
With some Republicans worried Trump hasn't used the bully pulpit deftly enough during the shutdown, this is a chance for Trump to regain the offensive before Democrats take control of the House tomorrow.
- Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi wrote House Democrats yesterday: "On Thursday, House Democrats will take action to end the Trump Shutdown, as we pass strong, bipartisan legislation to reopen government, which has already received strong bipartisan support in the Senate."
- "We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer."
Go deeper: Trump's Christmas shutdown spooks GOP
