Donald Trump unsure if border wall deal can be struck before government funding runs out again

He said the probability of reaching a deal is “less than 50-50”
AP
Sophie Williams28 January 2019

US President Donald Trump has said he does not believe that a deal will be struck on border security before the government runs out of funding again next month.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Mr Trump said that the probability of reaching a deal is “less than 50-50.”

His comments come after he was forced to end the 35-day government shutdown, the longest in US history, in order to allow government workers to be paid.

In order to prevent another shutdown, Congress must approve a new bill by February 15.

When asked if he would accept less than the $5.7 billion he wants to build a wall along the southern border, Mr Trump replied: "I doubt it. I have to do it right."

He also said he would be wary of any proposed deal that exchanged funds for a wall for broad immigration reform.

And when asked if he would agree to citizenship for immigrants who were illegally brought into the US as children, Mr Trump again replied, "I doubt it."

California representative Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in the House, said Democrats have funded border barriers in the past and are refusing this time simply because Trump is asking for it.

"The president is the only one who has been reasonable in these negotiations," he said.

Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, a member of the Democratic leadership in the House, said his colleagues are looking for "evidence-based" legislation.

"Shutdowns are not legitimate negotiating tactics when there's a public policy disagreement between two branches of government," he said.

The shutdown ended on Friday after 35 days. Mr Trump gave into mounting pressure, retreating from his demand that Congress commit to the border wall funding before federal agencies could resume work.

The bill he signed did not provide the money Mr Trump wanted for a barrier, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called “immoral” and has insisted Congress will not finance.

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said that Mr Trump agreed to temporarily end the shutdown because some Democrats have stepped forward publicly and privately, to say they agree with Trump’s plan to better secure the border.

Additional reporting by agencies.