President Donald Trump is intent on following through with his campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, even if that means extending the partial government shutdown until Democrats agree to $5 billion in funding, Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., told CNN on Wednesday.
"I can tell you that if they believe that this president is going to yield on this particular issue, they're misreading him, they're misreading the American people, because he's intent on making sure that – not only follows through with this commitment to the American people – but that he makes sure that our borders are secure," said Meadows, who chairs the influential conservative House Freedom Caucus.
The shutdown is entering its fifth day as the White House and Congress show very little signs of movement.
Meadows, one of Trump's closest allies, said Trump was "very firm" in his resolve to hold out for funding and was "encouraging me and others to enter into discussions with Democrats."
Trump on Tuesday said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to get funding.
"I can't tell you when the government is going to be open," Trump said in the Oval Office after a Christmas call with U.S. troops. "I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they would like to call it."