Just days after reaching a deal to reopen the government that included a promise to tackle immigration, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and President Donald Trump publicly sparred over his proposed border wall, resetting the negotiations.
In the run-up to the government shutdown, as a way to address the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Schumer promised funds of up to $25 billion for the president’s wall. Last night, he said that money was a non-starter.
“We’re going to have to start on a new basis, and the wall offer’s off the table,” Schumer said.
Schumer’s stance on wall funding could very well be posturing, as the minority leader ceded ground to Republicans on immigration to end the government shutdown. Democrats were given a promise of a floor debate on immigration, but no guarantee a bill would be brought up in the House. Schumer also needs to keep the progressive wing of his party happy, many of whom did not support the shutdown deal.
Schumer’s comment prompted the president to threaten to pull support for DACA while belittling Schumer for reaching a deal to keep the government open.
Cryin’ Chuck Schumer fully understands, especially after his humiliating defeat, that if there is no Wall, there is no DACA. We must have safety and security, together with a strong Military, for our great people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2018
The president has repeatedly bragged that the Democrats caved on a shutdown deal, but also said that he wanted an immigration agreement both parties would be proud of.
Big win for Republicans as Democrats cave on Shutdown. Now I want a big win for everyone, including Republicans, Democrats and DACA, but especially for our Great Military and Border Security. Should be able to get there. See you at the negotiating table!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2018
Despite the threats from the two biggest faces of the debate, a deal before government funding runs out again after Feb. 8 and DACA ends on March 5 still seems possible. At her press conference yesterday, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that she didn’t think the sides were ” that far apart.”