Government shutdown: Trump hits out at Democrats for rejecting offer of 'compromise' over Mexico border wall
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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."
What next for the government shutdown?
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.
An old Donald Trump tweet from 2014 has attracted new attention as the government shutdown continues with no end in sight.
The shutdown has also sparked a row between rapper Cardi B and conservative commentator Tomi Lahren.
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