Donald Trump: ‘I would love to see a shutdown’
Comments on immigration undermine ongoing budget negotiations

Donald Trump has said that he would welcome another government shutdown if Democrats don’t agree to toughen immigration laws during ongoing budget negotiations.
"We'll do a shutdown and it's worth it for our country. I'd love to see a shutdown if we don't get this stuff taken care of," Trump said, referring to immigration laws.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later walked back the comments, saying that Mr Trump was “not advocating for the shutdown”, the BBC says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The US government is facing its second shutdown in less than a month, and will run out of funding on Thursday if Republicans and Democrats cannot settle on a deal before then.
CNN reports that Trump’s comments came at the same time Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer used separate news conferences to tout “the progress on the talks and [to make] clear a deal was close.”
The Guardian says that despite Trump’s comments linking any potential shutdown to illegal immigration and billions in funding for a border wall with Mexico, “the potential budget deal would not address immigration.”
The deal lawmakers are reportedly working on will instead cover an increase in military spending, with Democrats holding out for a corresponding increase in “middle-class priorities on the domestic side,” according to Schumer.
Should a deal be reached, lawmakers could approve legislation that includes the spending increases, along with another temporary measure that would keep the government open until 23 March.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cytomegalovirus can cause permanent birth defects
The Explainer The virus can show no symptoms in adults
-
Summer in Seattle: Outdoor dining like nowhere else
Feature Featuring a patio with a waterfront view, a beer garden, and more
-
Ari Aster revisits the pandemic, Adam Sandler tees off again and Lamb Chop gets an origin story in July movies
the week recommends The month's film releases include 'Eddington,' 'Happy Gilmore 2' and 'Shari & Lamb Chop'
-
Trump U-turns on weapons to Ukraine
Speed Read Unhappy with Putin, Trump decides the US will go back to arming Ukraine against Russia's attacks
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump gives himself 2 weeks for Iran decision
Speed Read Trump said he believes negotiations will occur in the near future
-
What would a US strike on Iran mean for the Middle East?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION A precise attack could break Iran's nuclear programme – or pull the US and its allies into a drawn-out war even more damaging than Iraq or Afghanistan
-
US says Trump vetoed Israeli strike on Khamenei
Speed Read This comes as Israel and Iran pushed their conflict into its fourth day
-
After Israel's brazen Iran attack, what's next for the region and the world?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Following decades of saber-rattling, Israel's aerial assault on Iranian military targets has pushed the Middle East to the brink of all-out war