The government shutdown has lasted just shy of a month and there appears to be no end in sight. President Donald Trump on Saturday made an offer to Democrats: in exchange for the $5.7 billion needed to build his proposed border wall, he would offer temporary protection to DREAMers, those who were brought to America illegally when they were still a child.
For the most part, conservatives are applauding Trump's attempt at negotiating with the Democrats, even though Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made it very clear her party isn't interested in what the president has offered. The majority of conservative heavyweights believe Trump is trying to do the right thing by at least making the Democrats an offer, especially when they refuse to budge.
Trump is receiving praise from conservative commentators, current and former legislators and everyone in between.
This is a good speech and a reasonable proposal.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) January 19, 2019
If Democrats don’t like all of it, make a counter-offer.
President Trump’s proposal sounds very fair. Congress needs to come together and negotiate.
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) January 19, 2019
Good speech. If you sitting at home outside of DC—& not rabidly political & not connect via IV to Twitter this comes across as within norms of what a POTUS would do-Pelosi does new members no good calling this a non-starter before speech even started pic.twitter.com/O8uthPr4zf
— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) January 19, 2019
The President has now made an offer that includes some things Democrats have wanted in exchange for funding a wall or barrier on some parts of the border. Democrats say it’s a non-starter. Ok. What’s their counteroffer? Or will they simply not make one?
— Brit Hume (@brithume) January 19, 2019
Sad that it looks as if Democrat Congressional leaders will reject President Trump’s olive branch. Instead, they should sit down and negotiate. Now.
— Steve Forbes (@SteveForbesCEO) January 19, 2019
The Democrats are showing their hand here. They don’t just want to protect the so-called “DREAMERS” already here. That’s not enough. They want to make sure millions more can get in and boost their voting base in the next decade plus. Stay strong @realDonaldTrump ????
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) January 19, 2019
We'll soon know if Pelosi, Chuck and the Dems really care about Dreamers and Gov't workers or not. @realDonaldTrump has offered MORE than they had even asked for. If they say "no," they reveal it's not about shutdown, but showdown. It's time to either poop or get off the pot!
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 20, 2019
I applaud @realdonaldtrump for proposing a compromise that re-opens government, protects our borders and takes care of those brought to this country illegally through no fault of their own.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 19, 2019
Children should never be punished for the actions of their parents, and I’ve always supported protections for our DREAMers. Now it’s time for Democrats to decide if they want to negotiate in good faith and accept a compromise that secures our borders...
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 19, 2019
...and protects DREAMers or if they want to continue playing politics. I hope they choose the former so we can get to work fixing problems for the American people.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 19, 2019
Not everyone was happy about the president's decision though. The most outspoken critic of the offer is conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who previously endorsed Trump during the 2016 election. She was especially enthused about his immigration promises, something she feels he's abandoned with this deal.
Pelosi rejects Trump's amnesty deal bc it fails to "restore certainty to people's lives.” You want certainty? "You broke our immigration laws. We're deporting you. For certain."
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 19, 2019
Trump says USA doesn't discriminate agst immigrants based on race, sex, class, etc. But we DO discriminate on the basis of whether you live within walking distance.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 19, 2019
Trump proposes amnesty. We voted for Trump and got Jeb!
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 19, 2019
100 miles of border wall in exchange for amnestying millions of illegals. So if we grant citizenship to a BILLION foreigners, maybe we can finally get a full border wall.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 19, 2019
Trump's solution: Let's just amnesty them! https://t.co/67xTd3iigh
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 19, 2019
Michelle Malkin also appears to be at odds with Trump. She believes the Democrats would get their protection for DREAMers but a wall would be on the back burner.
Immediate: 3 yrs of amnesty for 700,000 illegal aliens who'll get work permits, Social Security #s & protection from deportation.
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 19, 2019
Immediate: Temporary (read: Permanent) Protected Status extension for 300k illegal aliens.
Later. Maybe. Someday: 230 miles of steel barriers.
??
Dios mio. Pelosi Sin Fronteras is not satisfied with immediate amnesty for 1 million illegal aliens in exchange for 230 miles of wall at some future date.#Wallophobia is a wondrous thing. https://t.co/MJcrD6lWsq
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 19, 2019
Although he isn't a conservative, or even a Republican for that matter, Fox News' Geraldo Rivera did something out of the ordinary: he applauded Trump's efforts and shamed Democrats for their lack of action.
At least @realDonaldTrump's trying to move the immigration ball. @SpeakerPelosi & @SenSchumer continue to revel in their self-righteous inactivity as #GovernmentShutdown drags on. #Trump's proposal was weak on #Dreamers, but it's a beginning- an offer that deserves a counteroffer
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) January 19, 2019