OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:52 AM PT – Sat. January 5, 2019
The president takes aim at Democrats once again for refusing to negotiate on border security to reopen the government.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House after meeting with lawmakers about border security, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Manuel Balce Ceneta)
In a tweet Saturday the president said he “wants to stop the shutdown,” just as soon as Democrats agree to strengthen border security.
He also added he “didn’t care” most workers not getting paid are Democrats, saying “I’m in the White House ready to go, where are the Dems?”
I don’t care that most of the workers not getting paid are Democrats, I want to stop the Shutdown as soon as we are in agreement on Strong Border Security! I am in the White House ready to go, where are the Dems?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2019
But while some federal workers will get backpay once the shutdown is over, federal contractors said they’re not getting any money.
“I’m not allowed to work and I will not get back pay. I’m forced to use only vacation time and then I’m put on leave without pay,” said Federal Contractor, Chris Erickson. “Where I just have to wait till things open back up and use up our savings or whatever else we have to do to keep things moving along.”
Democrats attempted to float a funding package to reopen the government, that did not include funding for the wall.
But the president has said he will not sign off on any proposal that does not fund border security.