In an extraordinary televised argument with top congressional Democrats in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Donald Trump threatened to trigger a government shutdown unless Congress provides money to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.
“If we don’t get what we want one way or the other . . . I will shut down the government,” the US president declared. “I am proud to shut down the government for border security.”
The threat came in an argument with Nancy Pelosi, the California lawmaker who will become speaker of the House of Representatives in January, and Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat. Ahead of their private meeting, Mr Trump let cameras record an introductory exchange that quickly turned into a bickering session.