“The United States needs a physical barrier,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. “It needs a wall.”



Trump said government agencies could remain closed for “a long time” and stated he will keep them shut down “as long as it takes” to secure wall funding.

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During remarks that lasted more than 90 minutes, the president blamed the shutdown on Democrats, who have repeatedly turned down his requests for money to build his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump said government agencies could remain closed for “a long time” and stated he will keep them shut down “as long as it takes” to secure wall funding.During remarks that lasted more than 90 minutes, the president blamed the shutdown on Democrats, who have repeatedly turned down his requests for money to build his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We are in a shutdown because Democrats refuse to fund border security,” he said, later accusing Democrats of playing politics because they have an eye “on 2020.”

His comments suggest little progress will be made later Wednesday, when Republican and Democratic leaders come to the White House for what Trump’s aides have called a “briefing” on border security.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security plan to brief lawmakers on the situation at the southwest border during the 3 p.m. meeting in the Situation Room, which is traditionally reserved for high-level military or national security briefings.

The shutdown entered its 12th day on Wednesday, but neither side has given any indication they are willing to back down on their demands.

Democrats plan to pass legislation that would end the shutdown, but without border wall money, after they take over the House majority on Thursday.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday that the Democratic plan "is a non-starter” because it does not include wall money to “keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime.”