WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump doubled down on his threat to shut down the government if he doesn’t win concessions from Congress on funding for his proposed border wall and reductions in illegal and legal immigration.
But, he said, he’s willing to deal.
Speaking at a White House press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte Monday, Trump said the U.S. is the “laughingstock of the world” because of its immigration policy.
“I would have no problem doing a shutdown,” he said. “I always leave room for negotiation, but this has been many years … I would certainly be willing to close it down to get it done.”
Asked whether that meant he had to get the full $25 billion he is seeking for a wall that he vowed would be paid for by Mexico, Trump said no.
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