President Donald Trump and the White House are defending the decision to reopen the government temporarily without border wall funding.
“On Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, the president signed into law: H.J. Res. 28, the ‘Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019,’ which includes a short-term continuing resolution that provides fiscal year 2019 appropriations through Feb. 15, 2019, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government included in the remaining seven appropriations bills,” the White House said in a statement late Friday.
“Also included in the enrolled bill are provisions regarding retroactive pay and reimbursement, and extensions of certain authorities.”
In the Rose Garden on Friday, President Trump insisted he still has not ruled out declaring a national emergency to build the wall, calling it “a very powerful weapon.”
Sources tell PPD White House lawyers have determined a course of action to expedite legal challenges that Democrats have promised to bring.
But some conservatives — among them his most ardent supporters — are outraged.
“Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States,” Ann Coulter, conservative commentator known for her anti-illegal immigration stances, tweeted.
The president tweeted in response to criticism from supporters and others.
“I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall,” Trump tweeted. “This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!”
On December 22, amid a border security debate between the White House and congressional Democrats, the government began what was the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.
The president requested $5.7 billion in funding for border security and construction of a steel barrier or concrete wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, but Democrats vowed to block any spending package that included any wall funding.
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, defended the move by the president, characterizing it as a trap set for Democrats.
“Democrats have been saying for weeks they’ll negotiate on wall funding when the government is open,” the conservative caucus chair tweeted. “POTUS is now giving them yet ANOTHER opportunity to come to the table.”
“Americans will be able to judge for themselves whether Democrats are truly serious about securing our border.”
