'I Am Proud to Shut Down the Government,' Trump Says During Fight with Democrats

President Trump reiterated his government shutdown threat on Tuesday during televised negotiations with Democratic congressional leaders, saying he would not approve appropriations to keep certain agencies open past Dec. 21 if lawmakers do not agree to his requested funding level for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In a testy White House exchange, Trump goaded Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who consistently pushed for the talks to take place in private. Trump made his position clear, saying he will “take the blame” if some federal agencies close.