Washignton — The government shutdown has begun. So has the finger-pointing.
President Donald Trump says Democrats wanted to give him "a nice present" to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration.
He says Democrats "could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead."
In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president is trying to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans in the November elections "in order to power through this mess."
Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
Photographers take a picture of the Ohio Clock shortly after midnight outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. The federal government shut down at midnight, halting all but the most essential operations. Picture: Jose Luis Magana/AP
It's a striking display of Washington's dysfunction as the shutdown halts all but the most essential operations.
Congress has scheduled an unusual Saturday session to begin considering a three-week version of the short-term spending measure — and to let the public know they're at work as the shutdown starts.