President Donald Trump claimed a political victory as Democrats “caved” and settled for a deal to end the US Government shutdown on Day 3 in return for a Republican promise to move fast on legislative protection for 8,00,000 young illegal immigrants.
“Big win for Republicans as Democrats cave on Shutdown,” he tweeted on Tuesday morning. He approvingly cited some media accounts on how the Democrats have lost and Trump has won again.
Earlier, in a combative statement soon after the Senate Democrats voted Monday to end their filibuster and support a short-term funding of the government, Trump commented he was “pleased that the Democrats in Congress have come to their senses”.
And, sticking to his hard line on immigration, Trump let it be known that his administration would make a long-term deal on immigration “only if it is good for our country”.
His brief statement did not even refer to the issue of protection for ‘Dreamers’ which was all the Democrats’ push for shutdown was about.
“As I have always said, once the Government is funded, my Administration will work toward solving the problem of very unfair illegal immigration.
We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country,” he said, ahead of signing the spending bill that will keep the government funded till February 8.
He, however, appeared to make amends with his Tuesday tweet, saying: “Now I want a big win for everyone, including Republicans, Democrats and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), but especially for our Great Military and Border Security”.
“Should be able to get there. See you at the negotiating table!” he said, but cast some doubts in a subsequent tweet, noting: “Nobody knows for sure that the Republicans & Democrats will be able to reach a deal on DACA by February 8, but everyone will be trying ….with a big additional focus put on Military Strength and Border Security.
The Dems have just learned that a Shutdown is not the answer. ”
The deadline to come up with the DACA legislative fix is March 5, failing which thousands of ‘Dreamers’ could face deportation in a legal sense.
It’s another matter if the Trump administration will seek to enforce it, while efforts to pass the legislation continue.