President Trump declared late Friday afternoon that a four-week spending deal to fund the U.S. government "would be best," a statement that flies in the face of Democrats and some Republicans who oppose such a plan.

His tweet came after a 90-minute talk with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., at the White House where they did not cut a deal on spending and immigration, though Trump described it an "[e]xcellent preliminary meeting."

"Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval with @SenSchumer - working on solutions for Security and our great Military together with @SenateMajLdr McConnell and @SpeakerRyan," Trump said. "Making progress - four week extension would be best!"

Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval with @SenSchumer - working on solutions for Security and our great Military together with @SenateMajLdr McConnell and @SpeakerRyan. Making progress - four week extension would be best! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018



With hours to go until a partial government shutdown, Democrats are refusing to back a bill that would fund the government until Feb. 16. Instead they want for a four or five-day funding deal during which time they want a larger accord on immigration and spending for all of fiscal 2018.

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Trump told Schumer at their meeting to return to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and "work it out."

A few Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have said they will join Democrats in opposing the extension of spending for the government into next month. The House already passed a short-term funding bill.

Last-ditch efforts are underway to reach a deal and have a vote to avert a shutdown, as temporary funding bill runs out at midnight.