Government shutdown: Trump hits out at Democrats for rejecting offer of 'compromise' over Mexico border wall

Donald Trump announces plan to 'end government shutdown' involving border wall funding

Donald Trump lashed out at the Democrats after they rejected his so-called “compromise” proposal to end the US government shutdown and secure $5.7bn in funding for his border wall.

The president accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of being a “radical” and acting “irrationally” during a series of tweets on Sunday and blamed his opponents for the continuing impasse, which has now entered its 31st day.

Ms Pelosi responded by calling on Mr Trump to re-open the government before starting talks on border issues, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the president’s plan would be blocked.

The government shutdown, now the longest federal closure in American history, has prompted some celebrities to speak up on the continuing standoff between Mr Trump and Democrats. For instance, it sparked a feud between rapper Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, and Fox News personality Tomi Lahren. After Ms Lahren chided the "Bodak Yellow" singer for speaking out against the government shutdown, Mr Almanzar replied "Leave me alone I will dog walk you." 

Lady Gaga also chimed in mid-song during a performance on Las Vegas to weigh in on the government shutdown. “If the f***ing president of the United States could please put our government back," the "Bad Romance" singer said. "There are people who live paycheck to paycheck and need their money.”

Other celebrities have responed to the government shutdown in philanthropic ways, including New Age personality Deepak Chopre and rock musician Jon Bon Jovi. In partnership with GoFundMe, Mr Chopra donated $10,000 to the company's crowdfunding campaign for furloughed federal workers. Mr Bon Jovi also offered free meals to government employees on Monday.

Furthermore, the government shutdown has led to some crippling effects on federal workers and public schools. The federal closure has forced some government workers to seek unemployment insurances, and according to a recent report, about 58% of furloughed employees are experiencing negative health effects due to the shutdown. Public schools are also concerned that they might not have enough funds to provide lunches to children. For instance, one school district in North Carolina is rationing off lunches to ensure that there is enough food to last them throughout the continuining shutdown.

[21 January 2019 18:20 · Sarah Harvard]

Martin Luther King Jr. National Park is open on Monday thanks to Delta Airlines offering a generous grant. 

Per NPR: "The 35-acre park, which draws more than 670,000 visitors to Atlanta's Sweet Auburn neighborhood each year, reopened Saturday. With an $83,500 grant from Delta and money from National Park Service recreation fees, it now has enough funds to operate until Feb. 3."

[21 January 2019 18:40 · Sarah Harvard]

Fox News personality Chris Wallace criticised Vice President Mike Pence over the Trump administration's decision to shutdown the government as political leverage for the funding needed to build a steel border wall on the southern border.

After Mr Pence stated that the American people wants his administration to work on their priorities—including border security—on "Fox News Sunday," Mr Wallace corrected him:

"No, isn’t it really that you just want the leverage? And that you figure if you don’t keep the government closed, that then they’re going to go nowhere?"

[21 January 2019 19:00 · Sarah Harvard]

An Arizona lawmaker came up with an interesting proposal to fund the border wall.

Per New York Post: "Republican state Rep. Gail Griffin recently introduced a house bill that would require companies that make or sell electronics in Arizona to install porn-blocking software — and then charge folks $20 to view the smut. The cash would go to the Arizona Commerce Authority in the so-called 'John McCain Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Fund.' That fund would go to 'build a border wall between Mexico and this state or fund border security,' the bill says, as well as give grants for mental health services, temporary housing, school districts and law enforcement."

[21 January 2019 19:20 · Sarah Harvard]

The government shutdown has led to serious impacts on Native American reservations. According to treaties established long before the United States' founding, the government pays for "basic economic needs to Indian nations, including health services, education and infrastructure," the Star-Tribune reported. 

But since the start of the government shutdown on December 22, almost all of the funding has been cut forcing Native American communities to dip into their reserves or make cuts to their budget. 

“People are suffering,” Patrice Kunesh, director of the Center for Indian Country Development at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, told the Star-Tribune.

“Many of the furloughed employees are one-income families,” she added. “Small businesses that depend on tribal spending are having a hard time. Even the relief programs are feeling pain.”

[21 January 2019 19:40 · Sarah Harvard]

Young Turks reporter Ken Klippenstein posted a Twitter thread of shutdown-related stories from furloughed federal workers.

[21 January 2019 20:40 · Sarah Harvard]

The partial government shutdown, the longest federal closure in US history, has forced some furloughed workers to rely on unemployment insurance.

Per the New York Times: "Texas has received more than 2,900 claims from federal workers since the shutdown began on Dec. 22, while Ohio is approaching 700. Kansas reported 445 filings, and Alabama was closing in on 500. Montana said it had logged almost 1,500."