President Trump Staying In Washington For Christmas, Blames Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump has sent out a defiant tweet after the collapse of negotiations with Congress to end the partial government shutdown.

Originally scheduled to head to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for a 16-day retreat, Trump will now stay in Washington, DC. First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron had previously headed to the resort, but now presumably will return to the White House.

“Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the first lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.

Trump said Friday he would remain in the nation’s capital if Congress could not reach an agreement to avert a partial government shutdown. Whether negotiations will continue during the holiday is uncertain. Congress will not resume activity until after Christmas, with no official meetings set for the Senate until Dec. 27.

The dispute with Congress is largely over funding for Trump’s proposed border wall. Both sides have apparently hardened their positions, with some speculating the shutdown could last into the new year.

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