Official Washington has been waiting for Donald Trump to give a thumbs up or down on the budget deal agreed to by Congressional negotiators last night.  As it allows for very little funding for a border wall, the reaction from Trump was predictable (watch above).

“Am I happy at first glance? I just got to see it. The answer is no I’m not. I’m not happy.”

Here are the ways this can play out:

  • If  the House and Senate agreement reaches Trump’s desk he can either sign it or veto it.
  • If he does sign it, the belief is he would then declare executive privilege or  a national emergency to make more funds available for a border wall.
  • If he doesn’t sign it, parts of the government will run out of money Friday night.

During the last shutdown, polls showed Americans by a wide margin blamed the White House and Republicans in Congress.  This time,  Trump is trying to shift the blame.

“I don’t think you are going to see a shutdown…  If you did have it, it’s the Democrat’s fault. And I accepted the first one and I’m proud of what we accomplished because people learned during that shutdown all about the problems coming in from the Southern border. I accepted it, I’ve always accepted it. But this one I would never accept if it happens, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. But this one would be totally on the Democrats.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is making it clear the Democrats want the threat of a shutdown to end.

The temporary funding to keep the government open runs out at 12:01 am Saturday morning.