Donald Trump sees his leverage dwindle as shutdown pushes toward third week

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has gained little leverage with Democrats two weeks into the partial government shutdown of his own making, with fewer possible escape routes and a more treacherous path ahead as the GOP relinquishes control of the House.

Trump turned to the bully pulpit on the first work day of the new year with a stream of tweets and an extended televised cabinet meeting to press his case for funding the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border. Later, he and top congressional leaders met for what was billed as a briefing on border security issues in the Situation Room at the White House.

Democrats, who take over the majority in the House on Thursday, were unmoved.


The White House meeting quickly devolved into political posturing.

Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, who's poised to be elected House speaker on Thursday, said the chamber will vote on two measures to reopen government that mirror legislation that the Senate had already passed with Republican support only to be rejected by Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the shutdown could last weeks.

Trump invited the lawmakers to return to the White House on Friday following Thursday’s congressional leadership elections.

It's unclear whether the Democrats will accept his offer, although he sounded somewhat conciliatory in tweets on Wednesday evening: “I remain ready and willing to work with Democrats to pass a bill that secures our borders, supports the agents and officers on the ground, and keeps America Safe. Let's get it done!” Republicans sought to insinuate that Pelosi was struggling to shore up support within her ranks for her leadership bid.