In a joint news conference with the Italian Prime Minister at the White House, the President indicated he would not think twice about using the leverage of a government shutdown to force the Congress to act on legislation which would toughen U.S. immigration laws.
"I would have no problem doing a shutdown," the President said. "It's time we had proper border security."
But Mr. Trump's efforts to get changes through the Congress - an end to 'catch and release' of immigrants illegally entering the United States, the end of the 'visa lottery' program, and an end to what's known as 'chain migration' - have borne little fruit.
Back in February, the Senate was unable to muster even a majority for a bill backed by the President, getting only 39 votes for a plan favored by Mr. Trump.
More recently in the House, Republicans in June failed to rally behind a pair of immigration reform bills which contained provisions backed by the President.
While it might seem like there is a lot of time to reach a deal - the House is off on an extended summer break until after Labor Day, as lawmakers there have only 11 scheduled work days between now and October 1 - when the new Fiscal Year begins.
That would seem to leave little time for action - and little time to hash out a compromise on immigration, which so far has proven elusive for President Trump.
Among Republicans in the Senate, there was not much of an embrace for the idea of a shutdown.
About the Author