President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE early Saturday charged that Democrats are at fault for the government shutdown because they want "unchecked illegal immigration."

“Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Can’t let that happen!”

Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Can’t let that happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018

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The shutdown began at midnight after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.

At the center of the spending bill negotiations has been the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which Trump said last year he would rescind while providing lawmakers time to craft a legislative fix.

Both parties have tried to blame each other for the government closure. The Republican National Committee has promoted the hashtag #SchumerShutdown, referring to Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (D-N.Y.), while Democrats have placed blame on Trump with #TrumpShutdown.

Republicans warn that a government shutdown harms the military by disrupting funding.

Democrats, meanwhile, claim that Republicans refused to strike a deal even when they offered to consider some of Trump's immigration-related proposals in exchange for protecting the so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

It is unclear which immigration proposals Trump is referring to in the tweet, although Trump's push to end family-based or "chain" immigration has also been a sticking point in negotiations.