An independent senator who caucuses with Democrats said Senate Democrats are giving the White House too much power in the fight to reopen the federal government — particularly given President Donald Trump’s admitted lack of urgency about ending the shutdown.
Asked Tuesday whether he feels any urgency to strike a deal with congressional Democrats that would turn on the federal lights, Trump expressed none, instead taunting the opposition party and threatening to “close up” more federal programs they value during the shutdown.
“We’re not closing up Republican programs, because we think they work. So the Democrats are getting killed, but they’re not telling the people about that. I say it,” Trump said while seated across from his Argentine counterpart in the White House’s ornate Cabinet Room, adding, “we’re going to be closing up Democrat programs … that we disagree with. And they’re never going to open again.”
