Washington, D.C. – Amid the prolonged 21-day federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump declared that he would be willing to meet with top Democratic leaders in Congress, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, but only if both first agree to a deal to reopen the government.
The president made these remarks during the Diwali
celebration held at the White House, a traditional event that this year was
marked by the political impasse between the White House and Congress over the
federal budget.
"I'm willing to meet with them, but they must first
commit to reopening the government. There's no point in having talks while the
country is shut down," Trump told the attendees, according to The
Independent.
The government shutdown, one of the longest in recent US
history, stemmed from disagreements between the administration and Democratic
lawmakers over the allocation of resources on key issues, including border
security and social spending, which Democrats want to use to benefit
undocumented migrants.
Trump emphasized that his willingness to engage in dialogue
does not imply a political concession, but rather a call for shared
responsibility to restore essential government functions. "Americans
deserve a functioning government that prioritizes the well-being of its
people," he added.
For their part, congressional spokespersons indicated that
Democrats are first demanding a comprehensive budget agreement before agreeing
to new negotiations, as public pressure mounts on both parties over the effects
of the shutdown on federal workers and national services.
The Diwali event, which traditionally celebrates the victory
of light over darkness, this time served as the backdrop for a call for
political conciliation, although positions between the White House and Capitol Hill
remain sharply divided.