In a move that has further entrenched the nation's longest government shutdown, President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will not be "extorted" by Democrats into ending the impasse over border security funding.
The statement came as the standoff between the two parties entered its sixth week, with no signs of resolution in sight. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump dismissed talks of a potential compromise, insisting that any deal would need to include strict immigration enforcement measures.
"I'm not going to be extorted by Democrats," he said. "I know exactly what we're talking about here. We want strong borders, and we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens."
The Democratic leadership in Congress has sought to avoid a shutdown, but Trump's hardline stance on immigration has made a deal increasingly difficult.
"By continuing down this path, the President is making clear that his only goal is to use government funding as leverage for unrelated and divisive domestic policy issues," said a White House spokesperson. "We're committed to working with our colleagues in Congress to find common ground and pass legislation that serves the American people."
The shutdown has had significant consequences, including hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed or forced to work without pay.
As the standoff continues, there are growing concerns about its impact on national security, the economy, and the public's trust in government.
The statement came as the standoff between the two parties entered its sixth week, with no signs of resolution in sight. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump dismissed talks of a potential compromise, insisting that any deal would need to include strict immigration enforcement measures.
"I'm not going to be extorted by Democrats," he said. "I know exactly what we're talking about here. We want strong borders, and we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens."
The Democratic leadership in Congress has sought to avoid a shutdown, but Trump's hardline stance on immigration has made a deal increasingly difficult.
"By continuing down this path, the President is making clear that his only goal is to use government funding as leverage for unrelated and divisive domestic policy issues," said a White House spokesperson. "We're committed to working with our colleagues in Congress to find common ground and pass legislation that serves the American people."
The shutdown has had significant consequences, including hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed or forced to work without pay.
As the standoff continues, there are growing concerns about its impact on national security, the economy, and the public's trust in government.
I'm getting super frustrated with this whole shutdown situation 
. It feels like politicians are more worried about winning a battle than finding solutions for the country 
. Trump's stance on immigration is understandable, but using it as leverage to shut down the government isn't cool 
. I feel bad for all those federal workers who lost pay and jobs during this shutdown 
. And what about national security? I hope they can find a way to resolve this ASAP 
. Maybe we need some outside help, like a bipartisan committee or something 
. This is getting too stressful 
.
, can't we all just get along? Trump's stance on border security funding is super divisive and it's affecting so many people 
, especially those who are already struggling to make ends meet. I'm all for strong borders, but not at the expense of our country's reputation and economy 
. And what about the federal workers who are being furloughed or forced to work without pay? 
it's just not right.
. Can't we find a middle ground that works for everyone? I'm all for compromise, but Trump's hardline stance is making things worse. And what about the Democratic leadership in Congress? They're trying to work with him, but it's like he's not even listening 
. It's time for some grown-up talk and a real solution that benefits our country 
. it's not like we don't know what's at stake - hundreds of thousands of workers are missing out on pay and their families are struggling too 
. and on top of all this, the country is feeling really divided... i just wish leaders could put aside their differences and think about how this shutdown is affecting real people, not just for political gain 
It's not just about the money; it's about the people who are getting hurt because of all this - those furloughed workers and their families. It's so unfair 
. And what really gets me is that it's not just about them – our economy and national security are also at stake 
.
. Both sides are dug in, and it's hard to see how they can come to an agreement without compromising on some pretty big issues 
. I'm not saying Trump is being unreasonable, but come on – can't we find some middle ground here? 
. I just wish they could put aside their differences and work towards a solution that benefits everyone 
meanwhile, thousands of ppl are losing their paychecks and it's affecting everyone around them... what about those ppl? are they just supposed to forget about healthcare, food stamps, and all that because trump wants his wall 
. gotta hope congress steps in soon and gets this mess sorted 
. I get that border security is important, but can't we find a way to compromise without affecting so many lives? It's not just about the workers, it's about our collective well-being 
. Let's focus on finding solutions that bring people together, rather than dividing us further 
.
i feel so bad for them, they should be focusing on actual work not fighting over walls and detention centers 
the shutdown's already messing with people's lives, and now you're threatening to make it worse? 
I'm no expert, but it seems like Trump is playing a game of chicken with the Democrats, and honestly, he's not exactly winning hearts (or minds) with his "tough guy" act 
. Newsflash: using government funding as leverage to get your way isn't a negotiation tactic; it's just called extortion. And by the way, who needs strong borders when you have Netflix and chill on demand? 
and let's be real, hundreds of thousands of ppl are getting hurt