President Trump canceled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, amid the ongoing partial government shutdown, citing on Thursday “Democrats intransigence on border security.”
“Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the @wef!” Trump tweeted.
Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEF!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2019
The president was expected to attend the Jan. 22-25 gathering with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and White House advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
Congressional Democrats and the White House are at an impasse over funding for a wall along the southern border, for which Trump wants $5.7 billion, resulting in a lapse in funding for a bevy of federal agencies.
The partial shutdown has impacted roughly 800,000 federal workers who are on track to miss their first paycheck Friday.
[Read more: Trump: ‘I would almost say definitely’ to declaring national emergency to build wall without shutdown deal]
Trump hinted earlier Thursday that he was considering backing out of his trip to the ritzy gathering, telling reporters before departing the White House for a trip to Texas that he wouldn’t go if the shutdown continued.
“I had planned to go. It’s been very successful when I went. We have a great story to tell,” he said.
Trump has spent the week making the case to the American people about the need for stronger border security, beginning Tuesday with an Oval Office address during prime time.
On Wednesday, the president met with congressional leaders at the White House to continue negotiations over a deal to reopen the government, but no progress was made.
Trump is currently on his way to Texas, where he will participate in a round-table on immigration and border security and receive a briefing on border security at the Rio Grande.
