This morning, President Trump said that he’s determined to “win” on the current border wall funding fight being waged with intransigent congressional Democrats.
Yesterday, the White House signaled it may be willing to compromise on a spending deal to keep the government open past the Friday deadline. Trump is currently demanding $5 billion for construction of the border wall. To obtain that amount of money from current spending packages, the Senate needs to OK the appropriation by 60 votes. With only 51 Republican senators, that means garnering support from Democrat senators, all of whom are digging their heels in to oppose the measure.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested that Trump would sign whatever spending package comes to his desk, and would later pay for the wall from funding at other government agencies. (RELATED: Sarah Sanders Confirms Trump W.H. Ready to Concede On the Border Wall.)
Trump is reassuring his base by reminding them that the fight isn’t over now and that wall-supporters will ultimately win:
In our Country, so much money has been poured down the drain, for so many years, but when it comes to Border Security and the Military, the Democrats fight to the death. We won on the Military, which is being completely rebuilt. One way or the other, we will win on the Wall!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018
The President also outlined his vision for “the wall,” clarifying what will actually be built.
The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall – but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018
….It will be beautiful and, at the same time, give our Country the security that our citizens deserve. It will go up fast and save us BILLIONS of dollars a month once completed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018
It’s unclear what kind of spending package Congress will send the President to keep the government open past Friday. Right now, all signs suggest congressional Republicans will surrender and not fund the wall. (RELATED: Trump White House Indicating It’s Willing to Fold on Wall Funding.)
If Republicans are unwilling to act to protect our country, it will be up to the President in the end. And it looks like Trump already had a plan to make the wall happen regardless of Republican pusillanimity.
