US government shutdown: Trump vows to do ‘whatever it takes’ to get Mexico border wall funding
His demand for $5bn of taxpayers’ money has triggered partial shutdown of federal government
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has vowed to continue the US government's impasse and do “whatever it takes” to get funding to build his wall on the Mexico border.
The president's demand for $5bn of taxpayers’ money has triggered a partial shutdown of the federal government, and the situation appears no closer to a resolution.
Speaking to reporters on a surprise Boxing Day visit to troops in Iraq, Mr Trump stressed the need for border security and declined to say how much he would accept to end the shutdown.
"You have to have a wall, you have to have protection," Mr Trump said. “The American public is demanding a wall."
During a previous televised meeting with Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to become speaker of the House of Representatives in January, and Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, Mr Trump said he would be “proud to shut down the government for border security”.
He has since shifted the blame to the Democrats, and on Wednesday added: "Nancy is calling the shots."
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly promised Mexico would pay for his proposed wall.
After Mexico refused to do so, he began seeking taxpayer funding for the wall.
The impasse over government funding began last week, when the Senate approved a bipartisan deal keeping government open into February.
That bill provided $1.3bn for border security projects but not money for the wall.
At Mr Trump's request, the House approved that package and inserted the $5.7bn he had requested.
On Friday afternoon, a Senate procedural vote showed that Republicans lacked the 60 votes they'd need to force the measure with the wall funding through their chamber.
That jump-started negotiations between Congress and the White House, but the deadline came and went without a deal.
Senate minority leader Mr Schumer said funding for Mr Trump's wall will "never pass the Senate."
"So President Trump, if you want to open the government, you must abandon the wall, plain and simple," Mr Schumer said.
The shutdown, which is now in its fifth day, has had a significant impact on a number of government departments who urgently require funding.
Roughly 420,000 workers were deemed essential and are working unpaid, while an additional 380,000 have been furloughed.
While the White House was talking to congressional Democrats — and staff talks continued on Capitol Hill — negotiations appear to have stalled, dimming hopes for a swift breakthrough.
With no deal at hand, members of the House were told there would be no votes on Thursday, assuring the shutdown would last yet another day.
Lawmakers are away from Washington for the festive period and have been told they will have 24 hours' notice before having to return.
Agencies contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments