What was supposed to be a brief, civil photo opportunity quickly devolved into a shouting match between President Trump, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday during . a public meeting. The subject of their disagreement? Trump’s proposed border wall.
The president became so heated that, at one point, he threatened to shut down the U.S. government unless he gets the funding needed for a border wall. “If we don’t get what we want … I will shut down the government,” Trump said on camera. “I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck, because the people of this country don’t want criminals and people that have lots of problems and drugs pouring into our country.”
He also told Schumer and Pelosi that he “will take the mantle” and he’ll “be the one to shut it down.
“I won’t blame you for it,” Trump said.
President Trump engages in an Oval Office clash with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi over border security as the shutdown deadline looms
Pelosi: “I don’t think we should have a debate in front of the press on this” pic.twitter.com/gopvtJKpXO
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 11, 2018
According to POLITICO, Senate Democrats had already reached a deal that $1.6 billion in funding be dedicated to fencing along some parts of the border. Trump, however, wants $5 billion.
But a bipartisan agreement seems to be a stretch, especially with Republicans in control of the Senate and Democrats in control of the House.
On the way out of Tuesday’s meeting, Pelosi condemned Trump’s threat.
“The Trump shutdown is something that can be avoided and that the American people do not need at this time of economic uncertainty, and people losing jobs and the market in a mood and the rest,” Pelosi told reporters. “It is a luxury — the Trump shutdown is a luxury that the American people cannot afford.”
But that’s not all she said. The Washington Post also reported that the California Democrat also said Trump’s insistence on building a wall is a “manhood thing.”
“It’s like a manhood thing with him. As if manhood could ever be associated with him. This wall thing,” Pelosi allegedly said at a Democratic caucus committee meeting later on Tuesday.
She added that she was “trying to be the mom in the room” while Trump and Schumer went back and forth about funding for the wall.
As of Tuesday evening, Trump has not publicly acknowledged Pelosi’s reported remarks.