Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi held a press conference on Wednesday shortly after meeting with President Trump at the White House again over the border security disputes that have caused the government shutdown. They described Trump as off putting and unreasonable, completely unwilling to make a deal. He was having a "temper tantrum," according to the Democrats.
"He couldn't get his way and he just walked out of the meeting," Schumer recalled.
GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy helped lead a press conference shortly afterward, attempting to "clarify" just about everything the Democrats said. Standing beside Vice President Mike Pence, McCarthy gave his side of the story. Trump welcomed the Democrats into the room, he said, and asked them to present their deal to him. The president even brought candy, McCarthy quipped.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy disputes Sen. Schumer's account of meeting with Pres. Trump, saying the president was "calling all the leaders together to solve this problem—he even brought a little candy for everybody." https://t.co/hYBje3V4LM pic.twitter.com/BrojKim2U7
— ABC News (@ABC) January 9, 2019
The way the Democrats falsely framed the meeting was "disturbing," and their behavior is "embarrassing," McCarthy said. Where Schumer continued to "raise his voice," Trump was "polite" and "respectful." While Trump was offering solutions, the Democrats just "want to just argue."
Kevin McCarthy gave his account of events leading to the abrupt ending of Trump's meeting:
— POLITICO (@politico) January 9, 2019
“[Trump] turned to the speaker and politely asked her, ‘OK Nancy, if we open the government up, in 30 days could we have border security?’ She raised her hand and said ‘No, not at all’" pic.twitter.com/LlxfQXf2Ob
The president offered his take on the meeting too. Almost as soon as they stepped in the room, Pelosi and Schumer were being unreasonable, so he said "bye-bye!"
Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time. I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier? Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2019
To prevent future misleading narratives, McCarthy suggested they invite cameras to their next meetings.
The government shutdown is now in its 19th day. While critics are infuriated that Trump is proudly sticking to his guns over the border wall, his supporters are proud of him for demanding border security and fulfilling a campaign promise.