It was just last Friday when Republicans and Democrats failed to come to an agreement on spending which led to the first government shutdown since 2013. After both sides reached a short-term agreement three days later, Donald Trump decided to vent on social media.
Trump on Twitter
It's no secret that Democrats and Republicans have a different agenda when it comes to how to run the government. Unlike the last government shutdown which was based around the Affordable Care Act, the current issue at hand is over immigration reform. Democrats are pushing to extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allows some illegal immigrants who were brought into the United States as children to remain in the country.
Republican, despite claiming to be sympathetic, are holding out for Democrats to agree to additional funding for border security, which includes the funding of a southern border wall that has long been championed by the president. After three days, enough of a compromise was able to be reached to reopen the government and fund it through February 8. Both sides expressed anger at a long-term agreement still appearing out of reach, which Trump elaborated on further during a January 23 rant on Twitter.
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
Taking to his Twitter feed on Tuesday night, Donald Trump targeted Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer while threatening the future of DACA.
"Cryin’ Chuck Schumer fully understands, especially after his humiliating defeat, that if there is no Wall, there is no DACA," Trump tweeted.
Not stopping there, Donald Trump doubled down with his talking point. "We must have safety and security, together with a strong Military, for our great people!" he wrote. Schumer has been criticized by not just Republicans, but also Democrats who believe he caved too soon on reopening the government, with some worried that it could risk damaging the debate over DACA.
Moving forward
Despite Donald Trump and Republicans putting the blame of the government shutdown on the doorstep of the Democratic Party, most Americans don't agree. Republicans currently hold a majority-control in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the White House, which hurts their argument in pointing fingers at the Democrats over many issues in Washington. With the midterm elections less than a year away, both parties are positioning themselves to make gains, though recent polling has the Democrats with the advantage.
