A Donald Trump ally says the president isn't giving in on his demands for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border — the issue that's led to a partial government shutdown now in its 23rd day.
Sen. Lindsey Graham says he encouraged Trump during a telephone conversation Sunday to reopen government for a short period to try to negotiate a deal with Democrats to end the impasse.
Graham, who has become a top congressional ally of the president, also said Trump is ready to make a deal on a border wall — and that a declaration of a national emergency is a “last option.”
“He said just 30 minutes ago, ‘that's my last option. I think the legislative route is the best way to go, let's make a deal, but I will do it if I have to,’” Graham said.
“Before he pulls the plug on the legislative option, and I think we are almost there, I would urge them to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal. If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off — see if if you can do it by himself for the emergency powers."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, wants Trump to end the shutdown first.
Graham says he thinks Trump is willing to accept the level of wall funding he is seeking, along with some immigration measures Democrats might accept, such as helping immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. as minors.
Trump has said that while he wants a broader immigration deal, he first wants to hear what the Supreme Court has to say about the group known as "Dreamers."
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