Trump 'proud' to shut down government for wall funds

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump heatedly threatened Tuesday to shut down the government if Congress does not give him funds he is seeking to complete a border wall along the U.S.'s southern border. </p> <p>Trump said he would be &quot;proud&quot; to follow through with the threat unless he gets the $5 billion he is seeking from the Republican-held legislature. </p> <p>The president openly feuded with Chuck Schumer, the Senate's ranking Democrat, about the matter, during a meeting with top congressional Democrats at the White House, eventually acknowledging he would &quot;take&quot; responsibility if it does come to pass.</p> <p>&quot;If we don't get what we want, one way or the other whether it's through you, through a military, through anything you want to call, I will shut down the government,&quot; he said in the Oval Office alongside Schumer and the House's top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi. </p> <p>&quot;I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck,&quot; he said. &quot;I will take the mantle of shutting down.&quot; </p> <p>Trump has long promised to build the separation barrier, but has appeared to abandon his initial pledge to have Mexico pay for it after Mexican officials consistently rejected the demand. </p> <p>Addressing reporters at the White House after the meeting, Pelosi said &quot;the Trump shutdown is something that can be avoided,&quot; warning it could cost American jobs and hurt markets.</p> <p>&quot;The Trump shutdown is a luxury the American people cannot afford,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Markets turned negative following Trump's threat after posting modest gains earlier Tuesday.</p> <p>The government could face a partial shutdown Dec. 21 when some agencies would run out of appropriations.</p> <p>Despite controlling both chambers of Congress, Republicans would need Democratic support to pass a spending bill, particularly in the Senate where 60 votes are required to overcome a procedural hurdle.