Trump Urges Shutdown Resolution at Rose Garden Luncheon

As the government shutdown enters its third week, President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to bring it to a close. During a luncheon in the Rose Garden on Tuesday, Trump hosted Republican lawmakers and directed sharp criticism at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, accusing them of prolonging the shutdown. He characterized their actions as “a craven act of partisan spite,” highlighting that Republican senators have attempted 11 times to pass measures to reopen the government.

“Democrats are causing disruptions in our air traffic control, leaving over one million federal workers unpaid, and preventing children from enjoying our museums,” Trump stated emphatically. He urged Democrats to reconsider their stance, suggesting that their position is unpopular, as reflected in the polls.

The President implied that the Democrats’ delay stems from the strong state of the economy, buoyed by tariff revenues from foreign countries. In a forward-looking statement, Trump mentioned a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea in two weeks, where further discussions on trade are anticipated.

Trump suggested the Senate Democrats are only delaying a vote because the country “is doing so well,” referring to tariff revenue from other countries. He also said he would be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea to discuss trade further.

“Tariffs equal national security and signal wealth for our country,” Trump said.

The president also touted a crime crackdown that took place in Washington, D.C., pointing to the more than 1,000 arrests made and saying that the “real fixing up” of the nation’s capital will be happening soon.

Among the attendees were Sens. Tim Scott, Chuck Grassley, Ted Cruz, John Barrasso, Mitch McConnell, James Lankford, Bill Cassidy, Ashley Moody, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, Jim Banks, Markwayne Mullin, Cindy Hyde Smith and Katie Britt.