In an epic showdown between President Donald Trump, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican promises for border security went head-to-head with Democratic stonewalling in a fascinating made-for-T.V. moment.
A moment that clearly made Pelosi pretty uncomfortable.
After a fairly civil first…well, about two minutes, fireworks were sparked when Pelosi defiantly told Trump that he “will not win” in his effort to secure funding from Congress for his proposed border wall, prompting the president to respond that he’s happy to shut down the government if that’s what it takes.
"If we don't get what we want one way or the other ... I will shut down the government," the president responded. "And I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck."
Pelosi then switched to a different tactic, telling Trump he doesn't have the votes in either chamber of Congress for the border wall regardless of whether he wants it.
"You do not have the votes in the House [for the wall],” Pelosi argued.
“I do, Trump disagreed.
“Well, let’s take the vote and find out,” the minority leader taunted.
Trump repeatedly explained that while he feels confident he has the votes in the House, he needs another 10 votes in the Senate to get funding for the wall, to which Pelosi vaguely responded, “Don’t put it on the Senate. Put it on a negotiation.”
Trump also pushed back on Pelosi and Schumer’s arguments against the necessity of a border wall, claiming DHS has caught 10 terrorists at the border in the recent past.
“These are very serious people,” the president argued. “We caught 10 terrorists. These are people that are looking to do harm. We need the wall. More important than anything, we need border security.”
Throughout the meeting, Pelosi urged the president to move the conversation behind closed doors and out of earshot of the press, clearly uncomfortable being forced to defend her own position in full live view of the American public.