(KGTV) — President Trump stood by his demands for border wall funding, following a meeting with Democratic leadership Friday, ensuring more debate into the weekend over $5.6 billion for his border wall to end the government shutdown.
In a press conference, the president discussed his meeting, calling it productive and saying he believed progress with Democrats had been made. However, House Speaker told reporters outside the White House that, "We cannot resolve this until we open up government, and we made that very clear to the president."
Here are six takeaways from President Trump's press conference:
On the government shutdown...
During his meeting with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, President Trump confirmed he said the government shutdown could last for months or even a year or longer.
"I don't think it will, but I am prepared," Trump told reporters. "I hope it doesn't go on even a few more days. It really could open very quickly."
He added later that the government wouldn't reopen until the issue of border security and wall is solved. Trump added his demand for funding remained at $5.6 billion for the border wall.
To federal workers affected by the shutdown...
When asked of his response to federal workers that are not a part of the Department of Homeland Security, President Trump said the shutdown was necessary to "do what's right" and not address border security in pieces.
"We want to do what's right and we want to do it all at one time. We don't want to take it in pieces," Trump told reporters.
The president went on to say he believed many of those workers affected would agree with closing the government over border funding.
"I really believe that these people ... agree with what we're doing," Trump said. "I think a lot of the people ... are wanting that to happen too. I really believe a lot of them want to see border security and they're willing to give it up."
San Diego's border...
President Trump said in "San Diego, and other areas of California, we just finished brand new walls ... and they wanted them badly." Trump added that California's leadership, specifically the governor position, "complains" and but wall construction was held anyway.
He went on to say that the "brand new wall in San Diego" is "working really well."
Continuing claims Mexico will pay for the wall...
President Trump continued his claims that Mexico would pay for a border wall, saying the money saved in a renegotiated trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada would net more money than the border wall would cost.
"We will be making billions and billions of dollars a year ... and that is paying for the wall many, many times over," Trump said. "What we save on [the USMCA] just with Mexico will pay for the wall many times over just in the period of a year, two years, three years. I view that as absolutely Mexico is paying for the wall."
Bypassing Congress for the wall...
When asked about granting himself emergency powers to construct the wall, President Trump said he had already considered it, but want to negotiate with lawmakers first.
"Yes, I have. And I can do it if I want," Trump told a reporter. "We can call a national emergency. I haven't done it. I may do it. I may do it. We can call a national emergency and build it very quickly. It's another way of doing it."
On the border wall...
President Trump said a team of people would work through the weekend to address border security, "the look" of the wall, and ports of entry.
"I think they're going to be really successful. I found the Democrats really want to do something," Trump told reporters.
Trump went on to deny previous assertions that the wall be made of concrete and touted possible steel construction, saying, "If I build a wall and the wall is made out of steel instead of concrete, I think people will like that." He added that he would used U.S. steel companies to produce the wall in that case.
WATCH the full press conference below:
