Trump renews shutdown threat over border security funding as deadline looms

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump praises Italy's Conte on immigration President Donald Trump is praising Italy's new premier handling of immigration issues and says the two leaders will discuss trade and the military. (July 30)

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump renewed his threat Monday to shut down the federal government if Congress does not pass a government funding bill that includes additional money for border security, but his remarks left wide room for negotiation with lawmakers.

"As far as the border is concerned, and personally, if we don’t get border security, after many, many years of talk within the United States, I would have no problem doing a shutdown," Trump said during a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

"We’re the laughingstock of the world."

Congress is working toward a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the federal government or risk shuttering agencies a month before the midterm election.

I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2018

Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday that he'd be "willing to 'shut down' government" if the spending bill doesn't include money for border security. He has made similar threats previously, including in a tweet last year in which he wrote that "our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix this mess."

But in response to a question about whether his request for $25 billion for his proposed border wall is a "red line" in talks with Congress, Trump said he would "always leave room open for negotiation.

"I have no red line, unlike President Obama," Trump said, referencing his predecessor's "red line" on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

"I just want great border security."

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