President Trump abruptly walked out of a meeting with Congressional leaders this afternoon after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to authorize new funding for The Wall. Trump tweeted:
Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time. I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier? Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!
For Trump, it isn't just a question of all or nothing. It is a question of Wall or nothing.
For all of his bragging about being a dealmaker, Trump isn't willing to make one and isn't willing to make one unless it's his way and only his way.
Naturally, this will please his base - at least until it's time to get their tax refunds.
Republican Senators like Alaska's Lisa Murkowski are losing patience with Trump and want the government to re-open.
But even if there are enough Republican defectors in the Senate to re-open the government, Trump would likely veto any deal and prolong the shutdown knowing there isn't a two thirds majority to override his veto. And if there was then Trump could make good on his threat to exercise emergency powers to build The Wall.
Of course, The Wall is a matter of political survival for Trump. It was the centerpiece of his rallies during the 2016 election and now nearly halfway through his term in office. If he fails to get funding for the Wall he is vulnerable to the Ann Coulter-Rush Limbaugh-Tucker Carlson mob and a GOP primary challenger. Trump would survive a primary challenge, but would be weakened in the general election.
In which case, Trump has no other option but to keep the federal government closed regardless of whom it harms other than himself.
As for Robert Mueller, while his report would be damning don't expect him to ignore DOJ protocols. He won't indict a sitting President.
At the very minimum, we will be at an impasse well into 2020. In which case, the United States will have truly hit the wall.
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