There's at least 25 trump supporting billionaires who can each contribute one billion of their own money to the stupid wall. They just got a huge tax cut. They probably won't even miss it.
Trump can lead the way by contributing his own billion first. If this is such a great idea, lead by example.
Leave us normal taxpayers alone for once.
13
To watch and listen to this president is an exercise in torture. Mr. Trump had no more idea what was contained in the legislation he signed than did my dog. His complete lack of understanding the legislative process is an embarrassment to 7th graders.
8
True to form, Trump remains clueless as to how our government works. He can propose a budget but it is the job of Congress to set spending limits and specific allocations. HIs only involvement is to either sign the spending bill or not.
If he were teachable maybe someone could explain this to him but the "leader" of our country is an ignorant buffon and just babbles whatever flits into and out of his head.
Any rational US government would be looking for ways to shrink our obscene military budget, not explode it with trillions more in unnecessary spending.
8
The article raises so many issues that I think we Americans should be concerned about. For one, we have to come up with a plan that allows for the millions of productive immigrants in the country to stay and help the country prosper as they live their lives and raise their families. Of equal concern in my mind is the legitimate concern of the conservatives who argue that we can not continue to spend money that we don’t have and this bill does exactly that. While I think Trump is right to raise the issue of theft of intellectual property rights by the Chinese he is wrong if he thinks tariffs are going to solve our massive foreign trade deficits. Those deficits are a manifestation of our country consuming more than it produces and the increasing federal debt is the proof of that.
3
Americans are not interested in beefing up the military. We are not interested in making war. Why? We are also not interested in Trump’s wall. We already have a wall. This is a stupidly unnecessary expense.
We expect that our DACA children remain in America because they are Americans. We are sickened by the government’s brutal expelling of
of immigrants who have lived honorable lives in America and served their country.
It is clear that both the president and the nasty Republican Congress are unAmerican and that we must vote VOTE these corrupt people out of office and impeach our Russian loving President
4
Doesn’t anyone get it yet? Trump is running a reality show..he threatens this, promises that and the media churns it, distracting us what what’s actually being done.
5
Didn't they try that "wall thing" in Berlin? Didn't seem to work too well there.
8
Does anyone see that Trump is acting more and more like a dictator every day? He fires anyone that doesn't agree with him. He is his own lawyer, Secretary of State, and National Security Adviser. He doesn't listen to anyone. He does whatever he wants. He takes lots of golf weekends. He hates reporters. I bet he would love to be president for life, too. Please - vote him and his Congressional enablers out as soon as possible.
18
This spending bill includes $1.6B for 33 miles of border wall, or about $50 million per mile which is $10,000 per yard. This is going to be on of the biggest boondoggles and white elephants America has ever seen. At this rate $25B budget would only pay 515 miles. Extrapolating over the entire 1,950 mile border ... the wall will cost Americans $75 to $100 billion. And how many illegal immigrants who mostly arrive by air and simply overstay will this $10,000 per yard monstrosity prevent from entry?
9
A melodramatic egotist who operates in an unsteady stream of whim cannot possibly lead this nation in a constructive way. He has made America smaller and his mean spirited demeanor and inherent dishonesty reveal an untrustworthy showoff.
7
You know what's a real waste of money? U.S. taxpayers footing Trump's jaunts to Florida. How many millions is the tally at now? And he's sticking it to you with the fact that the Secret Service accommodation charges goes into whose pocket? His.
17
The $641 million in the new budget allocated for fencing along our southern border, signed by our "super-well-educated," "really handsome," and "very smart" president, funds 33 miles of work. This translates into $19.4 million per mile or nearly $3,700 per foot. I'm just spit balling here, but somehow I doubt Trump would pay anywhere near that price to fence Mar-a-lago, or at any other property he owns. This is what happens when our government "is run like a business," by a twit who doesn't seem to know that governments can't file for Chapter 11? As it's probably the only "chapter" this book-less boob has ever read, you'd think it would have been one factoid he actually knew.
5
Once again, Republicans bankrupt the country and ruin lives financially and otherwise.
8
All ego...he's embarrassed they didn't fund the wall...having "forgotten" long ago that Mexico was going to pay for it.
10
Trump characterizes his decision to sign the funding bill as a matter of national security. I'm willing to bet that he didn't want to miss his tee time at Mar-a-Lago.
9
It seems Trump's puerile supporters only want to see folks fired or government trashed. They care not one wit that the country will be dysfunctional. They wont care until they perceive that it directly affects them. Maybe not even then, as long as there was still something to break.
6
Tough guy threatens veto. Then a few hour later, gaining nothing for his agenda or ego, he caves and signs.
This is the "master negotiator" who plans to meet with Kim Jong-un, and make a good deal for America. The whole world is cringing.
22
The "base" is furious that public schools, the environment and the Endowment For The Arts got a bit of funding! Who are these people and what country are they living in where only a tax bill that favors corporations and the rich makes them happy?
19
The alleged veto-threat was just an expression of attitude. It was also quite communicative to his pro-Wall, anti-DACA base.
Please, members of the press ... you still give any utterance by Trump the on-air urgency of Walter Cronkite reporting on the shooting of JFK.
4
He signed it . . . . That’s a good thing, right? Why does it matter then how he signed it? Anyone who’s ever created anything worth keeping knows that torture is part of the natural process. Anything less is just commercial art.
The press needs to stop jumping every time this man(Trump) says anything. Report the story and move on, if Trump had veto the spending bill then report it when it happened. After more than a year this guy he is still playing you.
Wise up.
6
We believe we could help the U.S., in a small way, to get toward a balanced budget because we have offered to actually pay the U.S. government for assistance to liberate Syria and our Iraqi province from Iranian and Russian control.
2
VP Mike Pence should go play professional poker. The fact that he shows no emotion while Trump presents his mini-drama is amazing.
6
We are all doomed. Except for the rich people, they will be fine.
9
The article refers to Amy Kremer, a Tea Party activist in an organization called Women for Trump. Given all the gossipy news about Trump's affairs, it's quite amazing to think that there are that many women besides Kremer left in that organization! But it does tell you something about their morals and ethics. Which is what our problem is with a president named Trump!
10
The test of whether Trump will actually go through with something or is just blowing smoke is simple: if it would kill the vibe with the base at one of his rallies, then it won't happen. Cut a deal on DACA and next thing you know some heckler shouts "amnesty!" when he's at a podium. Can't have that.
3
The "Great Wall of Trump" will not stop anything. It won't stop illegal immigrants as they will find a way to get here no matter what. It certainly will not stop any flow of drugs into this country. It will, however, fill the pockets of his buddies in construction though.
8
Seems like America's version of the Iron Curtain is, thankfully, still in Limbo.
4
But Trump got his wall. The 18 ft. high bollard structure "fence" (or wall, really) is embedded in concrete that goes at least 6 ft. below ground level and in many places about 4-6 ft. above the ground. The elongated steel posts are then placed in the reinforced concrete. A link to one type is here: http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170215121300-trump-border-wall-... . This isn't the only design, but is typical of what a metal bollard "wall" or "fence" looks like. It acts like a see through wall more than a fence. Trump will get approximately (at least) 33 more miles of this in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Additionally, some concrete walls will be built into the levees along the Rio Grande, mostly in Hidalgo County, Texas. The environment will be ruined (despite sparing 3 miles of the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge near Alamo, TexasI) as well as the economy. Land owners (mostly private) will have their property taken under eminent domain provisions of the 2005 REAL ID Act and the 2006 Secure Fence Act. The already-poor Lower Rio Grande Valley will suffer another catastrophic body blow from the federal government, thanks to the $1.6 billion for border wall (fence, euphemistically) passed and signed into law.
5
Terry Garrett,
All to placate the bigly ego of a small minded man.
“The Wall” is the only thing he hasn’t conceded. What is the root of this particular obsession of his.
5
“I’ll never sign a bill like this again “
If justice has it’s way, this may be the first true statement from this president.
13
What’s the deal with the republican fixation on the military?
7
They are deeply in bed with the huge military industrial complex and receive massive campaign contributions from them. They pay them back by supporting excessive military spending which is insane when compared to what any other country in the world spends. It means that there is less money to do useful governmental tasks for those of us paying these bills.
If you want some background on this con, read Dwight Eisenhower's cautions about not trusting the military, industrial complex. He certainly was in a position to know about this and no one it seems has ever listened to his sage council.
11
It’s been pointed out that war of the 21st century is bring fought on the social media platforms via hackers. Not sure how tanks and rockets and misdialed help with that.
And the VP just stood there; motionless, expressionless, and gormless.
Has the man no sense of shame at all?
6
Maybe, just maybe, the President has finally committed the legislative offense more serious than shooting someone on 5th Avenue for his base. Perhaps they will finally see him for the charlatan (and not a terribly bright one) he is. One can only hope.
4
Trump is becoming unglued in real-time; it would be fun to watch were the implications for our country not so real and so grave.
His inability to cope is of a piece with his infantile behavior.
My only hope (since the GOP is MIA) is that Trump keels over on the golf course, and is left incapacitated enough to NOT be able to run the country.
7
And then we’d have Mr. Pence, who is in some ways far more dangerous than President Trump.
4
The saga seems to be endless. And everything shifts to the almost unthinkable. I would suggest, Trump should go ahead and fire R. Mueller. That would be obstruction of justice, and, according to the Constitution,would be unlawful. Hence, an impeachment process could be initiated. In my view, this almost seems to be the only way to get rid of this infantile maniac.
1
Marianne Pomeroy,
The problem is the Republicans will not impeach. Democrats have already attempted it and were met with opposition. It is anybody’s guess what the Republican tipping point is. Their silence is deafening.
10
We know what the Republicans got out of the bill, military money.
I would like to see a list of what the Democrats got.
Perhaps the NYT could supply us that list.
3
I just thought of something: The Congress just played the President. They finished up the bill on a FrIday and then many left town, they know Trump is just itching to head to Florida, and would sign the thing so he could go and get his Donald time in. They played him, they figured out his tendencies. Wow.
5
You may very well be correct astounding as that may be. Trump realized he would have to scratch his golf game if he vetoed the bill. Are we really at that state of affairs?
5
The president and congress should hang their heads in shame about this budget. Not only because it has a huge deficit due in large part to the tax cut that Trump pushed through, but also because it is nearly April and the fiscal year started on October 1. This demonstrates the Republicans inability to govern even when they enjoy majorities in congress and control the White House. There may be waste in this budget, but that has not been identified except in ideological terms. Congress' inability to define what work the federal government should be doing and then fund it without a deficit is a HUGE failure on their part. Finally, I wish someone would examine our military spending and explain why we need to spend multiples more than any other country on earth? Why is it that we can buy all the toys for our military, but can't afford to provide health care to all our citizens?
12
Pathetic, non involvement in the policies of this country. Tyrannical immature behavior, and weakness. He gave in, he caved!
What a side show it's pathetic for a leading first world power. When will all his toady supporters and sycophants stop this charade?
3
The American people won the White House but the Senate is still submerged in the Swamp.
I think the President should just start vetoing these things until he gets his way, but the progressives got to hold out the military families as their hostages.
Reagan vetoed them but that was a day when a more honest media was far more truthful.
Just a reminder: Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 3 million ballots. She was clearly the people's choice for president. Why is Trump in the WH instead? I'm hoping Robert Mueller will have some answers for us soon.
2
A hypothetical: what if the real reason to threaten a veto was so that someone within the Trump organization could play the resulting upheaval in the markets to the benefit of the president. And the same thing with tariffs. After all, this president seems immune from any meaningful financial restrictions. He keeps his tax returns secret. His family members can do business both of themselves and of the country at the same time. If there was such a scheme to make money from a foreknowledge of presidential actions, how would the public know? Just makes me wonder.
4
I'm forever puzzled by Trump and the GOP's obsession with "the base." Exactly where will these folks go if they abandon the GOP?
5
Chris Davis,
The base, mainly evangelicals, will never abandon the GOP.
2
Trump called this spending bill a "budget" bill. He doesn't even know what it is, doesn't know what he is signing and what's going on. Just completely out of it.
4
Please. Haven't we all learned by now? He's playing games. He was never going to veto it. He just likes to grandstand and pretend to be tough and maverick-y for his base. This man plays the media like a violin.
3
The immigration and the Wall related veto threat was simply a bargaining chip to get the $1.5 trillions spending bill passed by the Congress. There's nothing like climbing down from the veto threat that's a usual course for Trump whenever he confronts the Congress.
1
DACA; the [p]resident/republican version of this bill would hold the DACA recipients hostage for the 25 billion for a ludicrous wall. We do not need a wall, we need a comprehensive inclusive immigration policy not politics. Let's face it without the immigrants in the US, we would be no where when it comes to the labor in the service (Hotels, Restaurants etc) and farming industries. Who is picking your fruits and vegetables, making your dinners in restaurants and cleaning your rooms in hotels?
Why do we keep escalating the Military budget (I get National Defense, but we are escalating tensions and trying to start another cold war with [russia], what we need is to create lasting jobs in the manufacturing sector(alternate Energy, Solar, Wind et al., Railroad (High Speed Trains across America would create jobs over the next 25+ years, a Road and Bridge program. America is short sighted and falling behind.
23
As sensible it is to envision and manifest a national comprehensive transportation program, including high speed trains, which would indeed foster many jobs, the fact is that a deeply entrenched fossil fuel industry, with a stranglehold on Washington, does not want us to change how we buy and burn carbon fuels until they are absolutely exhausted. But if we don't start designing and building that infrastructure now, it will be too late when fuel runs short and becomes incredibly expensive. The fossil fuel executives are counting on just that, however. So are the politicians in their pockets.
5
Elect Democrats.
4
"It provides $641 million for about 33 miles of fencing..."
That works out to $19.4 million-per-mile, or
$3,678.03 PER FOOT.
10
I was pleased to see that congress included in the omnibus bill a $50 billion spending package to outlaw cat juggling. This invidious practice has gone on long enough.
Thank you!
11
The Donald is obviously not in charge nor doing those artful deals he alleged where his stock and trade.
He is great at bashing and blaming whoever is a likely target in his perpetual line of fire.
National security allegedly hanging in the balance so this horrible, terrible, worst ever funding bill gets signed not so much to keep the government from shutting down but because it funds the military with all the goodies expected.
Who does not hear the sabers rattling, next stop Iran or N. Korea, or better yet both at the same time.
9
Trump is twisting the truth so far that even his base will see his remarks for the lies they are. He's the one who cancelled DACA. He's the one who refused to sign off on a compromise bill worked out between Republicans and Democrats. He's the one who is sending ICE agents to round up sick children and their parents, even in hospitals, to remove well-loved teachers and professors from their classrooms, etc. He can blame Democrats all he wants, but most of us are too smart to believe him.
21
The veto threat was just theater. It's just Trump getting attention by saying "I'm in charge" while simultaneously disowning the bill so he has the option to lay blame elsewhere if needed sometime in the future.
15
President Trump is a child given to the selfish temper tantrums of a three year old and should be removed from office by the Republican Congress by any lying excuse possible. And since the Reps. Have no conscious or integrity it should not be a problem for them. Such removal would save us from the disaster our country is heading for.
9
This bill showed both parties to be utterly heedless of their responsibility to their constituents.
It is ridiculous that we cannot have our government managing such things as border control and I'm migration as a simple matter of setting clear policy and executing that policy. Instead, our government wants to treat critical parts of governing as up for grabs based on donor preferences.
Term limits are needed and Citizens United needs to be reversed.
15
I would give you a million up votes if possible .
You are absolutely correct .
1
Republicans, I'm beginning to have deja vu except my current nightmares are much worse than the last time you started a disastrous war and tanked the economy. In the past one could argue a certain amount of ignorance, as in who knew things would end so disastrously?
The same cannot be said today, but what makes the current trajectory so much more dangerous is that we now have an unraveling, malignant narcissist and reckless bully at the helm acting out, spewing lies and invoking chaos on a daily if not hourly basis.
Perhaps now that the behemoth backed down and signed the bill to keep the government open and solvent for a limited time, you in the GOP might be breathing a sigh of relief. Don't. With the recent staff changes things are not ok and won't even approach the light years away category of "acceptable" if you don't find your collective conscience and some semblance of patriotism and start doing your jobs checking this whirling dervish of complete dysfunction.
On a purely selfish level, you can't possibly imagine you will survive this travesty of an administration without severe damage; now magnify that by billions of human beings and please, please wake up and do your jobs as a check against complete and total chaos.
6
I think his strategy is to say is is going to do the opposite of what he is actually going to do...to get everyones knickers in a bind. Then he does the predictable thing but grumps about it. That way he is playing to both sides somehow. He is the ultimate manipulator.
3
LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. Where it really matters--money and funding--Trump has been thwarted. And he is SEETHING!!! Each line of this article made me laugh (I was in the subway, so probably looked like a crazy person)--practically everything Trump wanted cut or abolished was either funded to its present levels or had funding increased! It was a lovely, lovely demonstration of true democracy at work--the midterms are around the corner and congressmen, fearful for their jobs, were willing to fund most everything the Democrats and their voters wanted. Trump will have more humiliations of this sort waiting in his floundering future. LOVE. IT!!!
9
As an educator, I was grateful to read elsewhere that Congress rejected DeVos' budget and granted more money to education, including increasing the sums for Pell grants and federal work study programs for college students. To think DeVos' DOE wanted to cut the budget for the much needed Head Start program, civil rights initiatives, and disability transportation grants boggles my mind! These programs have longstanding bipartisanship support, including the support of most Americans! Thank goodness some folks in Congress have not lost their wherewithal. Education is unfortunately never given much credence in political discussions and with this administration, that's where the danger lies!
13
DTs first real public failure and humiliation. after having feigned a deft last minute move he reversed his decision to veto a bill that nobody read because they were too busy trying to pass it....and then ran out of town to be home for dinner with the kids.
That is what makes America great. The apparent transparency of its democracy. The spending bill reflects It's belief in itself and the pure certainty that both sides can have their cake and eat it, except DT didn't get all of his wall, only a measly 1.6 billion to show his mates. Poor DT....
As a supporter of President Trump who’d have voted for him (again) to reelect him in 2020, this cowardice - signing a swampful of largesse - gives me doubt that he has the backbone to fight entrenched Washington any longer. This budget fiasco is the lowest point of my 70 years as an American; we’d hoped we could dredge a succesful populous movement up onto the shore from the depths of the swamp, but what we got was Pelosi and Schumer grinning almost as much as McConnell. Who gets America back for Americans now?
1
Swamp? Does moral character and experience not count for anything in leadership? I think he’s created a much bigger swamp with his shenanigans. All the credible policy makers are gone. All that’s left are the C team scotch-taping things together while their “boss” tweets nonsense as he fumes at the TV during “executive time.” Real politicians read briefings thoroughly, are diplomatic, and listen to their advisors. With this guy, it’s not about America, it’s what’s convenient for his ego.
2
As much as Trump is mentally unhinged, the burden of this man going untreated by mental health professionals, lays squarely on this GOP Congress. They see what we all see, a man completely bonkers running our nation. In what alternate universe does being unfit mean being fit? This is on Congress, they will continue to be spineless and put the nation at peril because it's more important for them to have a Republican President than it is to have a sane President. That demonstrates their indifference to doing their job and protecting our nation from harm. This man is but a step away from causing complete havoc and mayhem in the world with dire consequences for America. Yet, they do NOTHING. They must be voted out of office as their allegiance is NOT to America, but to this deranged man. They serve NO useful purpose and are complicit and equally responsible in whatever harm is caused to our nation. Vote them out, the next bunch will have learned a valuable lesson...America before party.
8
It's also very much to do with the passing of "citizens united ".
How many lobbyists per congressman? senators ? they are all
beholden on both sides of the aisle with very few exceptions .
UNFORTUNATELY .
3
There was no way he would have vetoed it, because there would be no one to blame for a shutdown but him.
Now, he’ll never see another penny of money for the wall.
4
Because Trump has no principles or policies except self-aggrandizement, he'll sign anything that Congress sends him. He just wants the bill signing to mug in front of the cameras for his reality show presidency. Trump's supporters deserve ever pain they get from the Trump Administration for nominating and voting for this incompetent.
3
Hey, wait a minute. What did Pres. Trump sign? An Omnibus Budge "Bill". He didn't sign off on the Federal Budget...just a spending bill? That means he has line-item veto powers!
To all who are gleefully thinking the ignoramus currently occupying the Oval Office and besmirching the reputation, traditions, and laws of our country:
Although YOU as private citizens perhaps don’t need to have this information at your fingertips, everyone in the US Congress knows this, or should, and most especially the bloviator with the orange hair certainly should be aware, before opening his mouth to threaten the line item veto, that he has NO power to enact line item vetos. No POTUS has had this power.
Congress attempted to grant this power to the president by the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 to control "pork barrel spending", but in 1998 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the act to be unconstitutional in a 6-3 decision in Clinton v. City of New York.
Should I be worried that I’m putting more thoughts in to my sign for the March for our lives than #45 is investing in this budget?
5
My favorite part of the presser was the recitation of military hardware - as if the Commander in Chief had any clue about the hardware he was buying.
I also enjoyed the repeated swipes at the Democrats, who will likely be stopping his agenda come January 2019.
8
Ha...."FAKE VETO".......right back at ya!
14
The only thing that comes to mind is how enormously politically inept Chump was today. He could have celebrated this bill as a victory. He could have vetoed it. He could have accepted the compromise that he signed and said it was the best that could be achieved. Instead, he just lies and blusters and just exudes negativity, because he was defeated. But he is not capable of anything else, so his threats are entirely hollow, because he is responsible that nothing else was passed. This is just psycho talk masquerading as leadership.
18
All huff and no puff. Classic Lying Donnie.
17
Trump will sign any bill the Republicans put on his desk, that's the devil's bargain they made with him for their support no matter what he does. A threatened veto is always a hoax.
13
The sick part is he enjoyed keeping us all on the edge of our seat. He leads like he led the "Apprentice."
12
Get me my turkey back.
3
Just another distraction, to make sure we forget to set our DVRs to record 60 Minutes on Sunday for the Stormy Daniels interview.
16
If the Infant Terrible vetoed the bill, could not Congress override that veto? Tthereby avoiding a shutdown? Ordinarily, Congress can but maybe spending bills are an exception. I don't know the answer but I'll bet one of you eminent Constitutional experts out there must know.
C'mon,, now, don't be bashful.
3
I hope and believe their a God but Donald Trump has never been punished for his lies and deceit only rewarded!
1
He is never going to be able to negotiate internationally, everyone will see through his bluff. Heck, he won't be able to buff because no one will believe it. Art of the Deal indeed. Biggest Idiot ever.
18
"Nobody read it [including me]."
8
Trump is the most disjointed and incoherent man to hold his Office.
He also is likely the most partisan and defamatory, always blaming the Democrats while distorting the facts.
This is not the way to be a President representing all of America. His conduct is a perfect model of how not to act Presidential. He is truly a despicable demagogue.
Shameless and shameful.
18
But he did sign it. For whatever reason.
So much for whatever passes for values in this administration.
4
Trump is becoming increasingly understandable.
His actions, in every case, are taken to meet primitive emotional needs.
He needs to feed his ego, assert his dominance and inflict suffering. He needs to accomplish these tasks without being able to concentrate on anything.
The chaos meets these needs, as does the posture of belligerence.
This is more of the same.
8
The "great negotiator" ... lol... what a loser. I am glad Reps and Dems got together and sent his stupidy a no way out clause. Sign of things to come, as it could that Congress is finally regrowing a spine and doing its constitutional duty to not be a rubber stamp to a man-child faux dictator.
7
I feel like Princess Leia, the Murller Death Star approaching relentlessly..I am throwing the kitchen sink...nothing is working...closer, closer...my so called team whispering in the courtyard..where is Han....did i really say ok to that dodgy looking guy Bolton, he is scarier than Mooch and Brannon put together...that budget, crazier than an AC casino deal...Murller still coming! Mar-a-lago, my Rosebud!
4
A deranged lunatic lives in the White House. The stock market is crashing. Have a nice weekend.
17
He signed it because he knew his "veto" would be overridden by congress making him look like the fool he is.
8
Republican fiscal responsibility ... Cut Taxes for the Wealthy, increase spending pretending its necessary for the military while doing nothing to keep Russia from upending another election, nothing to get Russia out of our Electrical Grid, and spending millions and millions playing for Golf than any other president. This is what makes Evangelicals happy.... the IN-YOUR-FACE, "I will do whatever I want" attitude. Lucky for Trump Evangelicals have been placated by his multiple PORN STAR HOOKERS coming forward revealing that indeed Trump has created high-paying six-figure jobs for HOOKERS. The only thing to make Evangelicals happier is WAR. They don't really care where it commences as long as it comes soon.... Trump had to dismiss General McMaster, Ph.D., because clearly reserving WAR for the last resort wasn't the counsel Trump and Evangelicals crave ... in comes Bolton... here comes WAR ... very soon. Republicans everywhere will be rejoicing another WAR.
8
Trump complains about the spending bill because "nobody read it" and it was rushed through congress.
Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the GOP Tax Scam Trump so gleefully signed.
10
It's astonishing, watching Trumpists scrabbling desperately to come up with reasons that the President's incoherent rambles and bellowed lies are okay. Honestly, the man's either in serious need of having Rob Ford's ka exorcised, or a drug test.
Maybe both. Any case, I swear that. Remember it used to be thought important for the President of the United States of America not to sound like he's completely nuts.
11
I don't like Trump but he's makes the Dems look stupid now. He's the one who needed DACA and when Dems had leverage they didn't keep it long. Now, Trump is worried that the Dems didn't do enough. He makes himself look like he cares. Really is debate should have ended months ago when government was last shut down. The president doesn't want a shutdown he would have caved and this would now all be resolved.
To sum it up democrats don't care about national security and only value illegal immigrants for their potential votes.
2
Headless chicken?
8
"And Mr. Trump said that Democrats had insisted on domestic spending that he called “bad” or “a waste of money.”.....And spending more money on the military is good and money well spent?
11
Until you actually need it, security costs seem too high.
This completes the two step process of tax cutting and spending increases that amount to the exact 380 billion/year two year stimulus that Obama got passed in 2009, over GOP objections, WHEN WE NEEDED IT.
The differences:
1. The GOP opposed it when we needed it.
2. The refusal of the GOP to go along with further measures after the initial 2 years impeded economic growth.
3. The GOP then campaigned criticizing low growth under Obama.
4. The stimulus now is not needed.
5. It will temporarily goose the economy.
6. The GOP will tell you to "look at how much growth we have!"
7. Unlike the Obama 2 year stimulus it is permanent.
and,
8. The idea that we should not have stimulus when unemployment is at 8% but we need it when unemployment is at 4% is laughably perverted.
10
He didn't lead.
He didn't try to shape the negotiations.
He didn't lay down his limits for the negotiators.
He sat back, waited, and whined.
He is a phony, a fraud, and a joke.
35
Well, the Times has confused the comments section by revising the article published prior to Trump signing the bill, instead of publishing a new article.
A new article, freshly thought, might have pointed out that the bill was near veto-proof anyway, and explored more fully the issue of Trump's lack of participation in getting us (him) to this point. We have an incompetent president who thrives on the speed of the news cycle. The Times is doing good work in a number of ways, yet still too much of its reporting is driven by Trump's tweets and publicity stunts. More time, more depth, please!
15
Trump's goal, apart from self aggrandizement and self-dealing, is to dominate the news cycle. He should be denied that gratification by the news media.
The Republican policy of Tax Cut and Spend will be the ruin of our country. Deficits will explode as they have with previous tax cuts and will eventually lead to the bankruptcy of our nation.
For those of you who care to criticize Democrats I will do it for you - they are the Party of Tax and Spend. A damaging behavior but a much slower trek to national bankruptcy.
6
Oh please, spare us.
The Democrats realize the money has to come from somewhere, not on credit like Republicans love, but complain about incessantly when they're not in the white house. You want to call out democrats for being "tax & spend," well, that's trite. The Republicans are simply spend and spend, that is, spend money that doesn't exist, kick the ball down field, keep moving the goal and leave the mess for the next generation to try to fix.
14
This episode and Trump 's entire presidency is one for the books, the History books on the Giant Achilles Heal of American Democracy. The names of Trump, the Republican Party, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, major Republican donors (the Koch Bros, etc), extreme right-wing political commentators dedicated to splitting American politics and people, etc, etc, etc are now enshrined forever as the Perpetrator and Enablers of the Supreme Fiasco in American History to date. Libraries will be built in the future and filled with a virtually unlimited number books on how the Republican Party fiddled while the United States "burned".
10
This just in, Trump threatens immediate nuclear war with Iran and North Korea.
Oh, wait a minute, this just in, he was just kidding.
After this guy is relegated to the trash heap of history, we should amend the Constitution to make an impeachable offense somebody who is a bigot, rabble rouser, pathological liar, admitted sexual predator, philanderer, border line Russian traitor, ego maniac demagogue and call it the Trump Amendment.
22
We should eliminate the Electoral College first so that we never have another president like Trump who wins the electoral vote but loses the popular vote.
8
Thank you for your reply Lona. Well one of the reasons it was put in and was promoted by Hamilton was it gave a little bit of a perk for small states like Iowa, not to be trampled by big states.
Don't ask for want you want Lona, you may get it. In 20 yrs., the big states may be republican and the small states democrats.
That is what happened when the republicans pushed thru the two term amendment as revenge against FDR. Reagan probably would
received a third term if that amendment was not passed.
One thing I will agree on, Hamilton also pointed out another reason for the Electoral College was to insure that we did not elect a person of bad character ie even if the elector was sworn to Trump he could change his mind at the last moment.
We blew that in the last election. I would vote to eliminate that part of the Constitution.
1
Paul and Lona,
By rubber stamping the election, members of Electoral College didn’t uphold their duty as Hamilton intended. Even if they voted for another candidate Congress could refuse to ratify. It’s quite a quagmire. Perhaps it’s time for an amendment allowing electors the option of voting for the candidate who won the popular vote.
All hat, no cattle.
6
Trump says he won't sign the next spending bill, but do they allow prisoners at Gitmo to have sharp objects like pens?
7
The only word looming behind Trump as he babbled inanely was "Override." Sure, Trump tell us when you are ready for your next lesson in American government, because the midterms is going to be a glorious Tsunami of Pain on your house.
7
I know how our country ended up with such an incompetent fool, but I resent the heck out of the people that knew better and voted for him for their "tax cut!"
Really, is your bank account more important than your country?
14
Aw, c’mon, Trump signed the bill so he could get the heck outta Dodge and go play golf. That’s all he EVER wants to do.
18
Trump is beyond fickle,
beyond mercurial,
beyond erratic.
Trump is psychotically multi-polar.
11
He's paying his creditors by moving the market. Not to mention making a mint. Isn't that illegal insider trading.
4
Trump needs to answer two questions. Why are you blaming the Democrats when you are the one who shut down DACA? Your campaign promise was that Mexico would pay for the wall. Why are you breaking your promise by asking American taxpayers to fund it?
14
...did the budget include the reported $30million for the useless unnecessary military parade? I want the power to veto THAT!
Talk about a misappropriation of our tax dollars!!!! None of the enlisted want to march in formation down the street in uniforms "across history"...
8
Forget money for defense. TRUMP is the greatest threat to our national security, our economy and democracy here and elsewhere.
Trump, who appears to be a traitor and for sale to any foreign government or business entity, would never pass the lowest level of security clearance required for federal employment--except as president he is automatically cleared. Anyone else with his background would be rejected as easily subject to blackmail and only he and his master, Putin, know what the russians have on him. His vulnerability to blackmail is easily evidenced by his various once secret payoffs of the several women with whom he cheated (while crititcizing others for doing the same.)
I suppose we get and got what we deserve. I hope the "uneducated" he continues to dupe are very, very happy. They had nothing to lose and they are getting nothing.
We have a cheap, shockingly unintelligent, crude, unread, amoral, egotistical, real estate hustler and con artist running our county. And he is not going anywhere. He is having a great time. Meanwhile, under Trump's cover, great wrongs are being committed by people around him. We should never forget who they are and what they are doing. I except only Mathis, who has a brain and character, but who Trump misread and really thought was a "mad dog." Mathis probably believes he is keeping things from getting worse by hanging on. He is almost alone now. As Paul Krugman says, this is not going to end well.
10
And how much longer will Mattis hang around? He must see the (bleak) future with Pompeo at State, Bolton (who is just plan nuts on his best days) as NSA, and Fox hack diGenova joining the legal team?
Not long is my guess. And if he could, Trump would put Duterte in charge of DoD.
Dark days, getting darker.
8
2,300 pages,,,, and no one, I am certain, no one has read the bill. Who can read a bill in 24 hours that is 2,300 pages long.
It is now law,, and no single person yet has read the entire thing. Boy,, that is really good government.
13
JFK made his people take the Evelyn Wood speed reading course. I took Evelyn Wood in college and could read a 900 page Victorian novel in less than 4 hours - if I really wanted to. This would be a piece of cake in 24 hours.
3
Trump can't read.
Will someone title an article with that then back it up?
His father made sure (Trump) never took courses which required anything beyond essays and paid for Trump's papers and grades, what else?
1
Once again Trump folded like a cheap suit.
4
The NYTimes and other reputable media should consider simply not reporting on every tweet and chirp that comes from Mr. Trump. Everyone gets all in a twist about "I think I may not sign the bill" when what it really means in translation is "I am not getting enough attention at this very moment so let me throw a hissy." This person occupying the WH is a fraud and a sham, a person who says whatever will get him the most attention at any given moment without a whit of concern regarding the consequences of his words. His recent additions to the WH staff and advisors is straight from Fox News and the appointments are intended to make him look better - or just make us look at him even more. When will you stop feeding this beast?
7
Setting aside the substance of the bill, which seems to primarily serve as another attempt by the Republican party to bribe voters, I believe the behavior of Trump today was reprehensible. This cruel and heartless sociopath needs to be removed from office ASAP.
4
And to think that this guy received 62,979,879 (46.1%) votes. Wow. Just. Wow.
9
Why are we still listening to him? Is it the same strange gratification as watching 'fails' on YouTube?
3
"I will never sign a bill like this again."
HA HA HA HA Pants On Fire!
The only way that will happen is if you are removed from Office before given the opportunity again.
5
So, shocker....trump lied AGAIN.
I'm gonna veto this bill.....not.
4
"Nobody read it," complained the guy who never reads anything.
10
Trump's vicious unscrupulousness is so childish, as if he were doing us a favor in signing a spending bill that didn't include the famously controversial 'wall', a symbol of his triad in government (fear, hate and division). I guess he was told of the shutdown coming down his spine, trouncing his vainglory of invincibility. This vulgar bully can't help it; he knows not what democracy is, the need for compromise and, hopefully, an attempt to be cooperative instead of confrontational. Trump continues to insult the legislative branch, as he forgets too easily he'll need congress to pass any legislation worth it's meddle. Accusing other s about not supporting the military is preposterous...but regaling the military wit too much while leaving the least among us with too little is a recipe for disaster and weakness, not strength. I trust Trump is at the brink of realizing how stupid he is, his belligerence a sure sign of swampy intemperance. What a clown, a dangerous one at that. And DACA, not resolved due to his blocking the deal, remains in limbo, cruelty 'gratis'.
4
We cut taxes by $1.5 trillion with a bill that nobody read.
We're spending $1.3 trillion in a bill that nobody read.
That's almost $3 trillion!
Pretty soon, we'll be talking REAL money...
64
His consistently irrational behavior
pattern are expected, noted and confirmed.
Vacancy in the penthouse, for sure.
10
As soon as I heard his threat to veto the bill I knew he was bluffing. Haven't we learned Trump translation....whatever he says the truth is the opposite. During his campaign he bragged about not being a politician. He is the very essence of a political hack. Totally partisan. Rips on the opposition incessantly Lies as he breathes. And uses hyperbole about everything he or his administration does. Everything he says is couched in political terms, always basically saying "look at me, ain't I the greatest." He was gaming the system this morning trying to sell his being a DACA hero, when really he was having any inner tantrum about his stupid wall.
61
Reality TV. Just wants to be in the limelight 24/7. No care at all for America. Disgusting.
14
Is it just me or did Commerce Secretary Ross say he will report back when he has some "real news" to report. That was funny. It got even funnier as the President ranted about .........and said never again will he sign such a spending bill. Really? I hope he is right and resigns or gets impeached so he will keep his promise. Unfortunately, Pence will probably do more damage because he knows corruption in congress is how things get done.
5
Hard to believe what's in this bill
Some of the weirdest:
1. 15 million dollars for development assistance to China...yes China, because you know China needs the money.
2. 10 million for disadvantaged Egyptian Students
3. 58 million to the United States Postal Office if they promise not to close underused money losing postal offices
4. 1 Billion for Chuck Shumer to build a Tunnel to nowhere
5. 6 million for the Ambassadors fund for cultural preservation
6. 5 million for Vietnam education foundation grants
7. 15 million to USAID for promoting international higher education between universities
8. 51 million to promote international family planning and reproductive health.
9. 10 million for UN Environmental programs
10. 218 million for promoting Democracy development in.....Europe
11. 12 million for scholarships for... Lebanon
12. 3.5 million in nutrition assistance to to Laos
and on and on it goes, most of it deficit funded. And to let you know some more about what's in this bill, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer practically jumped for joy when it was passed. Amazing how the democrats and republicans get along when dishing out the pork. It's the kind of bill if Obama had signed, citizen Trump would have been livid and tweeted up a tweet storm. president Trump huffed, signed and then went off to play Golf.
PS: The bill will bankrupt the country. The most irresponcible spending bill in the history of the nation, an absolute cash give away..
2
No one is more dangerous than Trump. I am the only person who knows this. I talk and write this but no one believes me.
Oh well.
To illustrate... if OJ were president we'd be better off. Think about it. It's literally true, not a rhetorical flourish.
2
I'm real sorry you object to kicking in for a desperately-needed new tunnel linking NYC and Jersey that woulda been done years ago if not for another fat fool, Chris Christie, not to mention chipping in some small change to various environmental and educational concerns around our actual planet.
Funnily, you guys never seem to have a peep to say about bonehead militay spending. I wonder why that is?
5
The wall needs to be "see through"
I think that says it all.
4
$641 million for 33 miles of fencing. That’s over $20 million per mile. Somebody is making money on this deal.
7
Bill is ridiculous? Takes one to know one...
2
The little easel tried to tall America he signed it for the military. Honestly Donny. Do yu expect us to believe the military would have fared less well id f you vetoed it. You know the general consensus is you are incompetent and a shut down would only be seen as a further example of your failure as a leader. What leadership did Trump show in the budget debate. De he even outline what he wanted besides his wall. He ha shown as must interest in the budget as he did in the GOP tax bill. Donny reality check no one except your trumpeters believes you. No only are you considered incompetent but also incredulous.
2
He has no clue how to govern. He just wanted to get out of town go play golf
7
Winning the DACA fight probably doesn’t get the Dems more votes in the mid term. But losing the DACA fight may help energize their base simultaneously with the trump voters becoming discouraged by not getting their Wall. Together, these might allow the Dems to flip a few more congressional seat in November, just 8 months away. So this bill seems to be a lose-lose proposition, except that for the Dems it might turn into a successful “win by losing “ tactic.
2
More empty threats while Trump's tariffs tank the Stock Market. Complaints about the Wall are just to please his base -- and the DACA remarks are totally ironic, because he's the one who ended the program(!)
10
I sincerely hope that Trump will, as he says, "never sign" another bill like this again.
That is because I hope that when the need for another spending bill comes up in September, Trump is no longer president.
8
“Nobody read it,” Mr. Trump said of the sweeping funding measure drawn up by Republican leaders in the House and the Senate. Echoing criticism from those who voted against the measure, Mr. Trump added, “It’s only hours old.”
That didn't matter to you or the Repubs with the tax reform bill, Trump. Actually, you don't read at all - not even your daily briefing or other important documents. DO NOT CONGRATULATE.
9
Trump signed the bill because it funds huge amounts of military hardware.
Where could we possibly use that hardware? Against whom? Why do we need new tanks? A single insurgent with a shoulder fired missile can take out a tank. Where will we fight a land war? In Asia? Again? Maybe Canada? How many submarines do we need? Where will we fight a sea war? Against whom? This arms buildup is absurd. The president seems to believe that we need to prevent war by intimidating our adversaries. The real war is already being fought against us, electronically, and the administration does not seem to be particularly interested in that. They should be treating IT like the crisis that it is. I don't feel one bit more secure because we will have a fleet of shiny new tanks and the world's most expensive submarines when THEY are already hacking our electricity grid. And now we are embarking on a trade war that is going to make a shambles of our economy.
Some smart leadership from the White House would be welcome. Some leadership from our feckless Congress would help also. Can I offer my own
shopping list for some domestic priorities that might make me feel more secure? Education perhaps? Infrastructure?
9
One of the many problems with DACA is that it does not cover just those who grew up here; it covers anyone who claims to have arrived by age 15. Most of the undocumented dropped out of school back in their own countries before the 7th grade. (Until the last few years, many rural communities in Mexico and Central America did not have schools that went beyond the elementary years.) Many undereducated and uneducated migrants came here, not with their parents, but on their own accord. When they left school, they were considered to be adults of working age. They eventually decided to follow others from their community to fill a job on a landscaping crew or house framing crew. They came here for work, not to attend school.
When DACA was announced, it was said there was an education requirement. Everyone assumed this meant the undocumented person would have had to have finished high school to qualify. This was incorrect. A person who has no education could qualify by enrolling in an alternative elementary school program for adults or by enrolling in an English as a Second Language class, if it can be shown that such a class helps students find work or gain admittance to job training programs.
This means that a person who arrived by age 16, with no or little education, would be eligible for DACA, if he or she would just enroll in an alternative elementary school or an ESL class. The requirements for DACA need to be stricter.
1
May you could lighten up. The Bible says we should care for the widow, the orphan and welcome the stranger.
So let's do it. God will smile.
4
When manufacturers started to out-source jobs to cheaper countries, their former employees found work in construction. Then the Great Recession hit. When construction started up again, the builders hired crews of undocumented migrants instead of their former workers. The same has happened in multiple industries so now we have tens of thousands of our own citizens, in their prime working years, who have been unemployed for so long that they are no longer counted in the official unemployment figure. The undocumented have displaced our own citizens.
Women are having children with unemployed men, but they are not marrying them. 40% of our children are being born out-of-wedlock. Most of the parents of these children are no longer together by the time their children turn 5 and start kindergarten.
Between automation and out-sourcing, our country has many fewer jobs. We should not be allowing the undocumented to take any of them. The repercussion on the families of our own citizens has been devastating.
"Nobody read it" - Like the corporate tax cut bill they passed?
9
The only thing that is ridiculous about this situation is that trump continues to be the president!
19
Every normal person knew that when President Trump said in his tweet that he was "considering a veto" of the bill, he was doing just that: considering a veto; and after he considered a veto, he was going to sign the bill. This was clear as crystal.
7
"An emphatic YES to my previous NO. What was the question?"
--Donald John Trump, someone's idea of a president
18
It's not a "bluff" it was just a lie -- he needs to lie -- it's his form of breathing.
17
Does anyone imagine this will go more smoothly in September?
This Administration brought to you by tantrum and Fox TV.
Will anyone even tell Trump that The Supreme Court has ruled the Line Item Veto unConstitutional? Or is everyone surrounding him now afraid of him?
11
IT's going to be real fun when the March 1Q statements arrive in the mail and people see how much they've lost in the last two months due to this clown upsetting the markets....
What does he care? His out of control erratic behavior and "policies" ( right) are driving the markets down, down, down.....so much so they have already erased what little gain Joe Taxpayer will see in his check.
12
Trump will need to continue making news, but it won't be over budget issues or other legislation. Congress, if it manages anything at all for the remainder of this term, will just bypass him if it's smart.
Unfortunately, that leaves Trump with lots of time to play golf (on the taxpayer dime) and to stir things up internationally. The latter is where real damage could be done.
He'll probably huff and puff nonstop about the Iran nuclear deal, repeatedly threatening to blow it up to heighten the tension. And with Bolton and Pompeo scheming in the background plus his strong affinity with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel, Trump's almost certain to abrogate the deal.
Of course our partners in the deal won't support us, and Russia will make sure Iranian air defenses are optimal. Meanwhile, North Korean talks will probably go nowhere as they harden their defenses (strangely, also with Russian help).
That will leave Bolton with the Neocon's ultimate fantasy. An opportunity to use military force for regime change in two countries simultaneously. Bolton can even consider it a blow against Russian interests.
And as the Iraq war showed, what could possibly go wrong?
7
"and vowed to never “sign another bill like this again.”"
well duh he won't be around after 2016; his base is furious about this and adding everything else into the mix looks easy to beat next time assuming dems nominate someone with appeal to trump's base in those key midwestern states.
trump is turning out to be a paper tiger; or all bark and no bite.
3
DEMS WIN!
The Fix NICS Act, which modestly improves the existing gun background-check system, plus a provision instructing the Centers for Disease Control that it is free to conduct research on gun violence. Such research was effectively stopped in 1996.
$380 million in assistance to states to improve the security of their election systems, and $300 million to the FBI to combat Russian hacking of those systems.
No repeal of the Johnson Amendment, which prevents churches from endorsing candidates and acting as political organizations. President Trump has advocated that the amendment be repealed.
A bar on employers such as restaurants keeping any portion of workers’ tips. The Trump Labor Department had proposed allowing tip “pooling,” including letting the boss control and potentially take workers’ tips.
Increases for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities. Trump had proposed eliminating them entirely.
No cuts to the EPA (Trump had proposed cutting the agency’s budget by a third) and an increase in funding for clean energy research through ARPA-E, which Trump had proposed eliminating entirely.
Increased funding for affordable housing.
Increased education funding, along with what nearly everyone is describing as a complete rejection of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’s agenda.
Increased funding for the National Institutes of Health.
A doubling of child-care funding for low-income families.
No defunding of sanctuary cities or Planned Parenthood.
14
I am reading Jon Meacham's "Franklin and Winston". The contrast between these men and the current occupant of the White House moves me to tears.
7
Here is a piece of the problem. No one expects Trump has the capacity to do anything useful, therefore they re never disappointed. On the other hand Congress is expected to get things done and they do nothing so people are disappointed. Trump can't lose and Congress can't win. Meanwhile the country stumbles along.
3
Why are his aides confused? He’s just doing what he always does, contradict himself.
7
the military doesn't need anymore money. What it needs it to be reeled in, we shouldn't be the world police. Bring all those men and women home who are in military bases in other countries.
6
"“Nobody read it,” Mr. Trump said of the sweeping funding measure drawn up by Republican leaders in the House and the Senate. Echoing criticism from those who voted against the measure, Mr. Trump added, “It’s only hours old.”"
So, is that to imply he did?
Sorry, we ALL know better than that. The longest thing he's read was a Tweet and last thing he read was the National Enquirer
5
Trump must love the way he can say absurd things like I am thinking of vetoing this bill" and everyone has to run around as if he is serious. It is quite an achievement that one man and 14 months have turned the USA into a failed state. George III must be laughing at all this.
4
If 33 miles of fencing is going to cost $641 million, and the wall is going to be about 2,000 miles long, then the final total would be nearly $39 billion, but just for a fence. Hmmmmm...
5
Funny that Trump chastised Congressional members for not "reading" the bill when neither has he. This is a quintessential Trump move as he asserts he will do "x, y and z" and then just as quickly backs down. Let's count the ways -- from bombing North Korea to meeting with Kim, from supporting DACA to undermining any plan to resolve the issue, from supporting limited gun control to embracing the NRA position. Hardly any issue is immune. I bet even if Congress did appropriate money for the wall, Trump would not follow through with it. Follow through is not his strength.
3
Trump said, “this ridiculous situation”, and this bill was “important… as a mater national security.”
Trump’s correct “this situation is ridiculous” and a “matter of national security.” Trump should know. Trump, the Republican Party, their operatives, donors and lobbyists created it by forcing through massive cuts to our revenue that increase our deficits, borrowing and national debt. It’s in their DNA.
Only a fool is surprised that now Trump (multiple bankruptcies) Republicans and Democrats (spend and spend more) want to spend more money than available forcing US to increase our deficits, borrowing and our national debt while decreasing our national security. It’s in their DNA.
Anyone who believes these Elected Politicians is plain just stupid! It’s in their DNA!
We must find a way to hold self-interested Elected Politicians and their staffers and operatives, from both parties, personally liable, responsible and accountable for the lies they have told US, their gross mismanagement of our county, our $21 T and growing national debt (108% of GDP), and our approx. $100 T in future, unfunded liabilities they forced on US jeopardizing our economic and national security, while benefiting themselves, their staffers, their party and special interest donors.
http://www.usdebtforum.com
3
The balloon-buffoon signed what he himself described as a "ridiculous" bill.
Of course he did. For him, that was the most appealing part!
When will this madness, this meanness end?
I do agree with Trump about the need to complete the Russia investigation; the sooner he's behind really big walls, with barbed wire on top, the safer we and the world will be.
7
Another demonstration of self-centered behavior of Donald Trump. I have no doubt Trump doesn't know what is in the bill but need to blow hot air just to show off.
3
"In a rambling and disjointed 20-minute statement from the Diplomatic Reception Room, Mr. Trump denigrated the bill, which was rushed through the House and the Senate by members of his own Republican Party, as “crazy” and vowed to never “sign another bill like this again.”
With any luck, he won't get the chance.
12
The wall was a great rallying call for his base, something they could chant, like "drain the swamp" and "lock her up". If Trump would stop ranting about the wall they wouldn't care about it anymore. There's almost nothing Trump could do or not do that would pry them loose from their mystifying allegiance to him. Thus their ready acceptance that Mexico would NOT pay for the wall. In the end Trump himself doesn't care about the wall either, only that he get his way, like a petulant child. Is there nothing we can do to distract him from this wasteful boondoggle?
2
Trump --I 'm against the bill that's why I'm going to sign it. But I'm for the bill because I signed it. I'll never sign a bill like this again except when I do. And he has the support of 90% of R's. What utter fools we are in this country.
122
Good question. But you (as a people) lifted him Into office. In other words, why weren't you concerned enabling an infantile, self-centered showman to become president?. Was it ignorance? Living within a two party system like yours, its easy to become phlegmatic. Because such a system tends to favor black and white thinking. There is no room for differentiated discourse
anymore. Hence, all of us (including myself as a European), will suffer in the aftermath.
Cheers!
Trump is just messing with our heads -- by claiming he isn't going to sign it and then by signing it. Childish.
Trump said it was important to sign the bill to increase spending on the military. We already spend more on the military than the next top countries combined. How about spending on something that will save the United States in a crisis...education.
8
And who is all this military spending supposed to protect us from? It looks to me like the biggest threat to our country right now is Trump. Will the military protect us from Trump--because the GOP sure won't!
3
I am tired of the constant drama in the White House. What will it take for Congress to stand up to Trump on both legal and ethical grounds? Trump is not a stable genius. Repeat. Trump is not a stable genius. He is a loose cannon, and loose cannons are dangerous because they can do damage to the ship. Every week there is more to be afraid of, and the latest move of appointing Bolton should scare everyone. (Oh, and note the timing: just before the Stormy Daniels interview on 60 Minutes. Coincidence? I don't think so.)
12
They honestly, hilariously think they will retain control of the House and the Senate when they will not.
It will be fun to see Trump rendered powerless on January 3rd, 2019 when the DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED 116th Congress is sworn in.
1
The Omnibus Spending Bill is a clear example of congressional amnesia and spineless effort which puts America on a steeper slope toward an economic implosion. While the WH is a speeding runaway train in its so-called MAGA track, its passenger's have been and are being handpicked for a black hole experience.
4
Well, he said that you Americans has the best submarines, they have to be paid for.
4
Why the increased military spending if we are withdrawing into ourselves from foreign trade, immigration, foreign entanglements?
Two oceans. Canada and Mexico as neighbors. Who can compete with us militarily already?
This doesn't sound like defend America first. It sounds like "We are going to invade somebody again and take what we want." Just more of the fascist plan. With the added concern in Trump's case that he will start something to distract from his own sins and probable crimes.
I wish Trump would be there in person leading the military force, which could easily include members of my family.. But of course that couldn't happen with Mr. Five Deferments
16
and with every new " invade ... and take what we want",
only the weapon systems will have improved,
while all other factors, human and/or other[un]wise,
will have remained the same: death, despair, destruction ...
some will benefit from rebuilding
only to spur on the next "invade .. and take what we want",
just one generation later. have we made progress at all?
here's to the March for Our Lives MOVEment!
yes, we know, this is not just about GUN control.
it is about keeping the social fabric intact.
about being neither divided nor conquered!
By threatening the veto before signing the bill, he keeps himself in the headlines about issues other than the Mueller investigation. Let us hope that he doesn't seek further distracting headlines by bombing Iran or North Korea.
12
I keep hearing that our President is not stable. I can't see that he's changed at all. He still has the ethics of Bernie Madoff, the cool grasp of reality of David Berkowitz and the "heel" vs. the "baby face" business plan of Vince McMahon. Trump did not steal our civility, our compassion and our respect for each other. In November, 2016 50 millions of us gave those virtues away freely in exchange for what we have now. And that, for Donald Trump, was the art of the deal.
15
He probably didn't know what the word "veto" was until it was explained to him. So, it wasn't a threat, more of a misunderstanding/ignorance. Also, I'm quite positive he didn't read the bill he signed, especially since he readily admits he doesn't read anything. He most likely watched Fox News for his inspiration while eating a pb & j.
6
I am very disappointed that Trump sig2nrd this spending bill which did not include any provisions for immigration reform. When will immigration be reformed? I do not believe it ever be reformed. America needs an immigration policy for the 21st century. Trump is the man to do it, but he has yet to deliver. I say shut the vastly overpaid bloated federal bureaucracy down until a spending bill is introduced that addresses the nation's immigration needs and funds a wall to protect America's sovereignty. Shut the government down until what is needed is provided! Reform immigration. Reform it now. Build the Wall! Thank you.
2
Under this administration illegal immigration is the least of our worries. Who do you think does the jobs Americans won’t do. Who do you think picks the crops we eat. Being from Tennessee you should recall when several years ago Georgia decided to crack down on illegal immigrates, the crops rotted in the fields. No American is going to work bent over in a field under the hot sun unless they own it. Many large scale farmers will tell you this. I witnessed it first hand when I lived in California’s Central Valley.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2012/05/17/the-law-of-unintended-c...
1
BNUSNSOIL,
I agree, so why not include in immigration reform provisions for foreign agricultural labor? Allow laborers in during harvest time. But the bad people must be kept out and they get in send them back. But this will never happen because the liberal opposition wants them for potentisl voters. Thank you.
Southern Boy,
Great argument until “the liberal opposition wants them for potentis|voters.”
Have you considered they intend to tackle DACA and immigration together.
Money spent on a wall would be better spent increasing funding for border patrol. The wall won’t help border patrol agents conduct more thorough passport control and vehicle searches at the border. They don’t have the resources and personnel to check every vehicle.
Then there’s the matter of Tribal lands that straddle the border, the ownership of which predates the establishment of the United States. They’re on record opposing a wall on their land.
It seems awfully strange to me that a sitting President can play with the nation's economy like a toy, throwing a temper tantrum whenever he can't get what he wants. And didn't he assert that Mexico would be paying for his precious wall, in the first place? Why isn't the public and why, for that matter, isn't the media calling Trump out repeatedly and harshly for this claim whenever he complains about not getting any wall-money from a spending bill?
5
Just an idea: how about not supporting this attention seeking clown by broadcasting his every threat and utterance. That he threatens something like this is not news, it is being manipulated by him.
If he vetoed it, then fine. But his record of empty threats and feints should be enough to - at the very least - have any report following that pattern to be labeled as a statement similar to so many others.
You are giving him just what he wants.
6
The failed demagogue whines because he didn't get exactly what he wanted.
3
Trump's erratic behavior is the norm for many who are afflicted with his type of psychological problems.A lack of consistency as a way to show his displeasure. This maladaptive behavior can be briefly understood through B.F.Skinner's A-B-C model. The A (antecedents) result in B, (his behavior).The C (consequences) are rewarding to him. For most sane presidents the confusion that such behavior causes would be seen by them, at best, as a PR disaster. But for Trump, the attention is ego enhancing and,therefore, will persist. Given his situation and age, there is only one solution: enact the 25th Amendment now!
6
President Trump attempted to take the wind out of the story of an ex-Playboy model. He had no intention of not signing that bill. He simply needed a distraction. He has used the same tactic for decades. It is shameful, and I am happy many media outlets didn't fall for it.
13
Who told Trump to shut up and sign the bill? That's the interesting question.
8
Larry Kudlow...he told Trump to turn OFF FOX and turn ON CNBC to watch the markets drop ANOTHER 1000 points today if he didn't sign.
Even crackpot Trump can see how this is going to end up.
HURRY UP MUELLER and get this guy OUT OF OFFICE.
7
Donald, we thought Mexico was paying for your wall.
We need our infrastructure repaired /replaced not you inutile wall.
5
Neither party cares, anymore, about principles and priorities. It's all about appeasing their extreme base, raising money for their continued Congressional employment and, in the process, driving the taxpayers and citizen's of this great country crazy. I care about my children and my grandchildren's future and I care about the sacrifices of my family, several of whom are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, who gave everything to preserve liberty, free speech and the right to stand alone against the tyranny of oppressors. Be they a government wanting to dictate every aspect of our lives or mobs of unhinged, intolerant and poorly educated students who cannot even have a conversation about the Constitution or the journey this country has taken to get where we are. If you don't protect liberty, you are destined to lose it because there are plenty of people willing to take it from you. I used to believe in government, but have come to realize the only way to control its encroachment into every aspect of our lives is to deprive it of resources. Our national budget budget should be 100 pages, complete with priorities and our tax forms should be one page for everyone. No deductions for anything at all. But we have built an industry comprised of lobbyists, corrupt politicians and their lawyers to propagate unnecessary complexity to benefit themselves and their families.....the country doesn't matter anymore.
2
wow, "mobs of ... poorly educated and intolerant students"
probably can't converse about the journey it took to get somewhere
because they did not take that journey, they take things for granted.
tax dollars would thus be very well invested in education, wouldn't they?
could it be that some people want to prevent just that,
because 'mobs, intolerant and poorly educated' are in their interest?
or am i taking things too far?
i definitely share your dream of a one-page tax form, though!
DACA? What about DACA? What is being done by Congress to secure a fair and FINAL decision on the fate of the DACA recipients? Nothing to date.
And for those who blame Trump, yes Correctly, the optics are the complete opposite. Trump will win the media message war.
"DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by the Democrats" will be is winning media message. The reality of the total silence of Chuck or Nancy and the Democratic Party is already a huge disappointment for the DACA families.
What are they doing? Do they have a plan or a bill?
The silence looks like abandonment and will be treated as such at the polls.
So unless the Democrats start to make some noise and actual moves, Trump's noise will rule the day.
Not fair? Maybe. But the Democrats had better get real and do something to change and correct the current narrative.
Empty threats about "next time" from Donald Trump. "Kids, if you don't knock it off, I'm having the chauffer turn this limo around and we will never go anywhere together again."
2
Apparently a last-minute temper-tantrum is not the master negotiating move that he thought it was. Who knew?
5
How many of us are supposed to rejoice in the fact that we now could be spending $ 641 million for Trump's worthless wall that will 'protect' 33 miles of the border? I'm calling on all Americans to stand up and repeat, "We salute you Great Dictator and thank you for saving us from all brown and black people." Hallelujah!
It provides $641 million for about 33 miles of fencing, but prohibits building a concrete structure or other prototypes the president has considered, and allocates the rest of the funding for new aircraft, sensors and surveillance technology.
2
We are being "played" again.
Bolton is a real piece of work. I hope I am wrong, but y'all that have children in the 18+ year category will be called to register for a Military Draft.
Please Vote this November, if not for selves for your children.
7
After this most recent reversal of mind, Trump's new nickname should be Flipper. Not only does he run the country like a fish out of water, he constantly flips on every major decision that requires his approval.
He reminds me of a toddler who threatens to hold his breath if he can't have his way. Somehow, I think I just insulted toddlers the world over. Sincere apologies kids. Sorry for my carelessness.
3
I would rate securing the U.S. border as a higher priority than more military funding for foreign wars. Congress and the President apparently disagree.
1
There would be less need to enhance border barriers, if Congress would require employers to use “e-verify” on every employee. This is a quick and easy way to make sure an employee or job applicant is allowed to work in our country.
The “e-verify” program could be readied to handle many more requests for information than it gets now. Then the government could explain to the general public how to use it. Any employer who does not use it could be first warned, then fined, and eventually jailed. When the undocumented cannot find work, most of them will self-deport. We could deport the rest. The cost will be minuscule compared to what our different levels of government spend on subsidizing the undocumented’s daily lives.
Once we are free of the undocumented, we could give a small percentage of the savings to a Grameen type non-profit that would make them mini-loans to start a one person business in their own country. We should direct the rest of the money to educating and the continual retraining our own citizens, and of otherwise helping them.
1
As Rachel Maddow has said more than once, "Pay attention to what he does ... not to what he says." Once again, he threatened and blustered and blamed and then caved like a paper tiger.
8
Earth to Pres. Trump: The military's budget was never in question.
3
When was the last time Trump held a news/press conference? You know, where he makes a statement and then takes questions about that statement. Today's rambling remarks about the spending bill and his degrading comments about the Democrats (who, in the spirit of bipartisanship signed the bill) were presented and then he scuttled off of the stage, avoiding questions to which he had no answers. I used to think he didn't know what he didn't know, but I was wrong. He does.
1
We keep looking for reasons to remove Trump from office. If his collusion with the Russians to rig his election is not enough, how about his obvious incompetence, his constant lying, inability to assemble a working cabinet, failure to appoint ambassadors as well as second level secretaries and deputies, his failure to read security briefings, his ignorance of the law, and the endless other incompetencies he demonstrates.
3
Since November 9, 2016, I have to read every news article 3x to fully understand the Trump Administration. Then I read the evening edition of the news a few times. My brain is working overtime.
If I make it to 100 years old, I will likely point to the mental gymnastics my brain was doing during this administration.
2
He was never going to veto the bill. If he did, he could not rob the country blind everytime he runs off to Mar a lago. Not to mention the millions he gets by forcing the use of his properties. He is only concerned about the wall so that he can maintain his base but little does he know I doubt that America is going to make the same mistake twice.
2
I think Trump issued his gratuitous veto threat to allow a smooth exit from his short positions in the stock market. As for the border wall funding, If the wall is actually built and the Trump administration lasts much longer it may be Americans trying to get over the wall.
3
At the end of the McCarthy hearings, when the entire nation finally realized what a nasty morally bankrupt little man he was, people just started walking out of the room. And as they were all filing out in disgust, McCarthy went on and on bloviating until he was left alone talking to himself. It was one of the finest moments in American history.
And one day Mr. Trump, when we all come to our senses, this entire country is going to do the same thing to you.
Assuming that we haven't all been killed in a nuclear "war of choice". Which may be a long shot considering that, for Trump, "Nuclear wars are good. And easy to win!"
4
I am sure Trump did not read a single page from the mountain of paper beside him. His aides must have fast read and told him there was a billion or two for his wall. So he wanted to veto it. But then he signs the Bill into law reluctantly to avert a Government Shutdown. Ironically, even the Republican Congress has the same reluctance, ignorance and dislike for this Bill. Then why pass this Bill in the Senate and the House, in such a hurry? Just having a bill and averting a government shutdown as raison d'être justified? Absolutely not! Time to send these narcissist no-nothings blown out into the stratosphere. We citizens have choices in 2018 and 2020. Our votes count. So citizens let's exercise our right and vote, no matter what impediments these scoundrels throw our way.
4
>But the president was most angry about the lack of funding in the bill for a massive wall on the nation’s southern border that he has billed as the centerpiece of his crackdown on illegal immigrants.
How do you figure, from the text of the tweet, that he was "most angry" about that, and not as angry about the absent DACA resolution? Unless there was a follow-up tweet clarifying this, or unless he's said elsewhere (where, then?) that wall is a bigger priority than DACA for this specific bill this is rather shameless editorializing. NYT should know better.
Guess he was in a real hurry to get to the links at Lago.
5
Bolton and The Wall (apologies to Pink Floyd). Evil & stupid is not a good combination.
3
Among all the chaos, let's not miss the good news in this bill: billions have been added for scientific funding at the NIH and NSF (EPA is sadly flat, but at least no big cuts there). Somehow in the middle of the madness some sanity manages to make its way through, and it's important to acknowledge this if we want to preserve our own sanity.
6
Too bad. Was hoping for a federal shutdown but, only the non-essential (dys)functions. Meaning, the White House and Congress.
6
Congrease just left town for 2 weeks...not Vacation but they are ‘working’ for their constituents, lots of them overseas.
1
Trump threatens a veto, then abandons his threat without getting anything in return. Mr. Putin, Mr. Kim, are you taking notes here? Trump couldn’t negotiate his way around a ‘wet floor’ sign in a men’s room.
8
Trump didn't want to ruin a golf weekend....
17
In regard to my comment about using drones to guard our border, we have, in fact, drones doing exactly this. One time a drone spotted a fire in the Brazilian Forest and sent a message to the country about the fire and its location so it could be put out more quickly. I read this either in the Times or National Geographic magazine. Why is no one, Democrat or Republican, speaking up about this? Get the word out!
1
Someone must have said, "Read it before you veto."
DJT replies, "Where's my pen?"
12
I think we should have learned by now to ignore what Trump says. What comes out of his mouth is meaningless. Just watch his actions.
8
He signed to get out of DC, so he could golf and not be near the kids protesting on the mall tomorrow.
26
When the President of the United States signs a bill two hours after saying that he was going to veto it because it was unsatisfactory, one has no other choice that to think that such person is irresponsible and totally unfit for the job.
And when at the time of signing it he adds that what he is signing is ridiculous one has to come to the conclusion that such person is not only irresponsible and unfit for the job but a clown.
14
We. Don't. Need. More. Military. Spending.
25
Again, the threat of a veto allowed Trump to take the bully pulpit this afternoon, and nothing else. Why disparage the Democrats with lies about DACA? because it pleased him keep pointing fingers, that's why.
When you point a finger you have three other fingers pointed back at you...
5
Umbrella Man, appeaser with his infamous wall.
2
Apparently your president, unwilling to do anything substantial about ‘draining the swamp’ or doing something about ‘this ridiculous situation’ has decided to wallow in that swamp and adopt ridiculous behaviour.
7
trump said he won't sign anoither bill like this one he just signed ,I for one hope this is true and he's gone before the next budget bill .Impeach now !
8
If he vetoed the bill, he would have missed tee off time in Florida.
12
The "Great Negotiator" caves again, surprising no one.
5
Why would anyone be surprised by anything this guy does?
6
Didn't Trump REPEATEDLY say Mexico would pay for the wall? Why doesn't the New York Time and other media ever mention this when reporting on the border wall? Why is Trump getting a pass on this?
8
Stephen Miller really needs to go
8
The Democrat is out of the WH so republicans don’t care about deficits anymore.
6
Thank goodness this trivial episode is over. I'd hate to see his golf weekend delayed.
7
What was it that they called John Kerry? Who can keep up with Drama Don?
2
J.V. President. If you're going to come to the table with a veto threat, you had better not fold on your first hand. We expect this guy to knock heads with Putin and Jinping?
4
He said he would "never do it again". I hope that's true because he's out of office.
Worst President ever - thank you Mitch McConnell
11
TLDR: Trump unilaterally repeals DACA then says Democrats did it.
2
The president and party of fiscal responsibility. 1.3 trillion for 6 weeks. WOW!
2
Reading through these posts it is apparent that NY Times readers regard Trump as a doddering, senile, half-crazed tyrant. And yet he single-handedly won an election (by tapping into a zeitgeist that no others dared to imagine existed), maneuvered Gorsuch through the Supreme Court, got a massive tax cut bill passed a month ago, hemmed in the North Korean leader with tough talk, and put the Chinese and other trade partners on notice that is it high time to sharpen those pencils when it comes to trade deals. The trouble with progressives is that they've come to believe their own cant; the result of which is sloppy thinking and the inability to recognize when it is their political opponent is simply more cunning and shrewd than they are.
2
Threatening the veto and then recanting on that is cunning and shrewd? No it shows that despite all his bravado he doesn't actually know how to create deals. Just look at the past.
2
Zugzwang, I'm a center right conservative, and trust me, I'm not impressed by The Donald. I'm not impressed with the tax cut that will add to the deficit; I'm not impressed with tariffs; I'm not impressed with this administration's foreign policy (or lack thereof); I'm not impressed with the revolving Cabinet doors; I'm certainly not impressed with the billions in security we taxpayers have to spend so Trump can golf at Mara Lago. Trump is immoral, unethical, incompetent and dishonorable. But if that is success to you, hey, what's not to like?
4
Zugzwang, extremely well said. But it's not just the progressives' cant: the entire vast left and some on the right (even if barely there, as in RINOs), including a new specie called Never-Trumpers, are now in the grips of a mass hysteria and obsession whose subject is first President Trump, and next everyone associated with him, including the 60 million voters. They'll likely have to be doing this for another 7 years. Some mass delusions have lasted longer, so not to worry. In the meantime, the thought that is the happiest is a Supreme Court that's solidly conservative and Constitutionally textualist, to the tune of 7:2. Everything else pales.
1
The sooner y'all stop carrying on with analysis of this, punditry on that, op-ed on the other with this nonsense of a jr. high playground bully masquerading as the executive branch of the federal government, the more credibility as a serious journalistic endeavor you'll have left when we're done with this sorry episode in our national life.
Trump is a rat cornered by his own criminal actions.
The Stormy Daniels interview on 60 minutes becomes appointment tv only because we have a maniac for a President.
Good to hear the news that the government is filing suit against opioid manufacturers like Perdue Pharmaceuticals, who made billions when they knew that Oxycodone would cause this health crisis. Surprised to hear Trump announce Pharmaceutical manufacturers as a target of lawsuits and the penalties need to include long prison sentences, but not firing squads like Trump wants.
1
No intelligent person should take anything it says seriously, which is a terrible thing for our country.
1
Trump got his 4 hours of attention.
Perhaps the Republican leadership suggested that a veto would cause a shutdown of at least a few days, followed by a very rapid re-vote with a veto-proof passage of both houses.
Perhaps Trump also figured out that the derisive laughter mockingly following him would last far longer if he actually vetoed the legislation. Or not--it's Trump after all.
Did someone inside Fox News suggest that this was a bad idea? Be interesting to find out. Looks like Trump has subcontracted his brain to Fox News, after all.
Finest demonstration of blinding stupidity and poor impulse control we have seen from Trump in at least the past 12 hours. 4 hours from ignorant rant to humiliating capitulation.
Putin is certainly getting his money's worth.
1
And in the end he signs it. Tramp thrives on chaos and is a walking contradiction.
1
Are we supposed to feel better because after throwing a tantrum, Fauxtus reversed course and signed the bill? I won't feel better til we have a real president who has no need for tantrums.
Trump and his act are stale. I'm waiting for someone to get the hook.
4
The press keeps giving this dying fish oxygen.Time to throw him back into the pond.
1
Sorry mr trump but democrats and republicans can work together for a some what reasonable budget bill without you're help ! and they will workout a DACA bill also without you ! Your a lame duck !
1
Hey, gotta get to Mar-a-Lago!
2
He is a Blowhard. There was never any doubt that he would sign the bill.
3
He only signed because he has a 3PM tee time down in Florida.
3
On major events like this I hold my nose and check out the response from the most extreme Trump suckers over at 4chan.
Wow! They are NOT happy. Most are seeing him as just another neo-Con, a total bait-and-switch phony who sold them out.
What's that giant sucking sound? It's Trump's base finally figuring him out and leaving.
9
Looks like absolutely nothing has changed in Washington. Sad. Wonder if anyone will ever actually read this moronic waste of trees.
2
Putin, maybe? To be nice, maybe we should start publishing all things government in Russian, too.
1
Ridiculous??!! He should look in the mirror to see what's ridiculous.
8
You all do not understand Trump’s brilliant strategy. Keep acting really crazy (okay, maybe not an act) and the Mexicans will build a wall - to keep us crazy Americans out.
12
Paul, thanks for that, I needed a laugh this afternoon.
1
The man is an imbecile!
He is suddenly worried about the DACA kids again?
We have enough military power to destroy the world ten times over, yet we need to pump more money to the prime contractors?
Wonder if The Donald understands what a peacetime dividend is?
How can we forget his beautiful, tremendous, ridiculous wall?
How are we going to keep our nation safe from the NRA and its' Christian right wing terrorists without a silly wall?
6
Same ol', same ol'.
"I'm the best. Obama was terrible. In fact, everybody else was terrible. Terrible. No one's ever done as much as me. We have the biggest best of everything in the world. In the world. And now it'll be bigger and better than even that. The Democrats hate Mexico. Blah, blah, blah."
Can't wait for November and a Congress so opposed to the very essence of this man, he'll quit, move back to Manhattan and hole up in his faux gold ghetto.
9
This tweet I hoped he would follow thru on, further evidence for those who haven’t figured it out, that he doesn’t have a clue
7
It's over guys. Trump is now officially a loser.
This was his last budget before the midterm elections. The Democrats offered him full payment for his wall IF in return he did what the vast majority of Americans AND GOP voters want on DACA (and which he ALREADY told us to want to sign into law), and he nevertheless refused. So he never wanted the wall in the first place.
He's all talk, no action.
QED
16
Trump's wall may keep out future dreamers and protect us from invading armies of fruit pickers and housekeepers. But drug cartels and dangerous criminals will simply avoid it.
We have so many problems, from Russia supporting the Republicans to rusted bridges and unlimited access to assault weapons. Forget about the wall, Mr. president. When Pompeo and Bolton start insulting China and North Korea, we'll have a real threat to our national security.
15
Trump is the king of drama. Loves the attention. The Republican sycophants stand and watch. Perhaps they are praying he doesn't take them down with him.
My concern is the debt we are leaving to our grandchildren...cut the taxes and increase the spending is a recipe for fiscal disaster.
8
For those of us that watched him speak live try to convince me that there is not some level of insanity with this president! Listening to his words but also his body language and facial movements I can't help but keep thinking of some of the characters in the film Cuckoos Nest!
12
Silly idea:
An able, professional and experienced diplomatic core led by a respected Secretary of State could lessen international tensions and reduce the need for escalating military budgets. Give peace a chance.
Instead we get Bolton and more gifts to the military industrial complex a Republican general warned us about. The irony is inescapable.
7
WHEN will people realize that Trump is only good at one thing - staying in the news cycle. Everything he says and does is geared toward keeping himself as the top story every, single day purely for the sake of his own fragile ego. He cares nothing about America or Americans and proves it every day. When somebody tells you who they are, believe them.
11
Anything to keep his name front and center in the fake news. As if he is ever going to read the bill or the one page condensation presented to him by his key advisers, what's left of them.
11
"The president abruptly backed down from his threat to veto the spending bill in a head-spinning four hours at the White House that left both political parties in Washington reeling and his own aides bewildered about Mr. Trump’s contradictory actions."
"Reeling" and "bewildered?" Really? They haven't caught onto his MO yet? Sorry, I find those descriptors of their reactions hard to believe, unless they're suffering from short-term memory loss, or blissful optimism.
6
Trump said Mexico was going to pay for the wall. Did Trump forget that? Is he starting to get some form of dementia? Did he pay his doctor $130,000 for a clean bill of health? There are many unanswered questions.
7
This Omnibus aka Ominous spending bill reflects a divisive politically partisan corrupt cowardly failure to openly legislatively debate, compromise and negotiate in good faith to budget for the annual operation of the federal government. Trump's inherited wealth real estate business was very poor preparation for budgets and spending and operating the American government. Since Trump is hiding his tax returns and business records from the American people we have no insight to his business acumen.
7
Blackmamba, I agree with almost everything you said however, his four bankruptcies were a big clue. Congress needs to get it’s act together and start working with each other. Then join forces against Trump.
3
Here is a person, (man not applicable,) who does not even have the courage of his own non-convictions.
8
Trump should be told about how Winston Churchill after retirement from government office used his leisure time to build a brick wall on his estate. If Trump is so anxious to get his border wall he should retire now and spend the rest of his retirement building that wall that he thinks is so important. He would be compared to Churchill which should make him very proud.
4
What the heel has happened to the republican party? I understand things change, but 30 years ago Trump would have been called "a Fellow Traveler" with his admiration for Putin.
Now, what has become of the republican's absolute contempt for our deficit? Are there no fiscally conservative ,socially moderate politicians any more? I guess that's retorical.
7
Once again, Trump lost.
He could have gotten his wall (rejected by a majority of the American people) easily - he only had to accept his own DACA proposal (supported by a vast majority of the American people AND GOP voters) in return. But he refused to do so.
That proves that he never actually wanted a wall in the first place. It was "all talk, no action".
And now he signs a spending bill into law that results in an 800 billion deficit for this year alone - so when it came to "trusting" him on lowering the US deficit and debt, he was lying too.
After a $1.5 trillion tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy bill, Trump now signs a "ridiculous" $1.3 trillion spending bill into law - and both of them are unpaid for. And that's after Bush left us with a record $1.4 trillion structural deficit in 2008 already.
If it weren't for Obama and the Democrats, who managed to cut Bush's deficit by two thirds in 8 years, the deficit today would be higher than $2 trillion ... so let NO Republican EVER try to mention "fiscal responsibility" again ... !!
Ridiculous indeed. At least Trump still "has the best words" ...
6
DJT new reason for everything...national security. I'm sure his base believes that's true.
4
Don just wanted a bit more headlines about himself. Of course if he threatens nuclear war, the reactions may be different.
6
Does any Trump voter hear still remember how Trump claimed that Obama's dealing with the deficit was ridiculous and that he, as a "master in the art of the deal", would eliminate the deficit immediately?
Obama cut Bush's record $1.4 trillion structural deficit ("structural" meaning: which cannot be eliminated overnight, even if Congress would pass not a single new spending bill) by 2/3.
So all that Trump had to do to keep his promise on fiscal responsibility and to better than Obama, was to eliminate the last $500 billion in less than two years.
Instead, he and the GOP are doing the EXACT opposite: first they add $1.5 trillion to the deficit through unpaid for lavish tax cuts for the wealthy that only wealthy GOP donors wanted, and now Trump signs an indeed "ridiculous" spending bill into law, that will result in a $800 billion deficit for this year alone already.
His opposition to this bill lasted ... exactly 4 hours, and that was about it. He didn't even TRY to get the GOP write a budget that would lower rather than increasing the deficit.
So he's not only a VERY, very weak negotiator, he actually doesn't even start negotiating, and caves from the very beginning.
Sad.
8
He is right, it is ridiculous.
Liberals are always telling us we need to be more like the Brits and have a pure democracy, instead of a Republic, but somehow they are strangely silent on the undemocratic filibuster.
Gee, wonder why?
I can only assume someone will be fired.
1
"Mr. Trump placed his hand on a stack of budget documents and criticized what he called “this ridiculous situation” — but he said the spending plan was important because it increases money for the military. “As a matter of national security I have signed this omnibus budget bill,” he said.
Oh man, Trump signs this trillion dollar spending bill because it will increase money for the military the day after he announces John Bolton as his new hawkish hard-liner national security adviser. How can one assume these guys DON'T have war on the brain and on the front burner? This day keeps getting darker by the hour.
5
There's good news and even better news. The good news is that after threatening to veto the spending bill, Trump relented and signed it. The even better news is that Trump declared that he would never sign such a bill again. Since the current bill only runs through September, I take that announcement to mean that Trump does not expect to be President in September. Yippee!!
5
I have to admit: Trump has skills, As always, he played the media like a fiddle, first threatening a veto that got the pundits into a lather, then announcing a "press conference" that caused mass hyperventilation among journalists, and finally forcing the media to broadcast yet another episode of the Trump Knows Best show, without commercial interruption. Trump maximized the audience for his latest declaration of greatness. He might not know anything else, but he knows how to play the media.
6
They reminded him that if he didn't sign, he couldn't go to Mar a Lago this weekend - would be a bit unseemly, what with the government shut down and all. I'll bet that's all it took.
9
Why is he angry at Congress for not funding his huge wall? He promised the wall, but he promised we wouldn't pay for it.
4
As has been said : democracy can be a messy form of government. Especially with a POTUS like the mercurial Trump. Yet there is no better form of government. America will survive the dark Trump years. It just will not be easy.
2
Any rational adult realizes America will likely experience financial armageddon unless government financial theft is ended. It appears author Ayn Rand was correct. Government will never stop spending. The only recourse is to shut off the water, quit feeding the monster until it expires. Then begin anew..
4
If any of us had a 71-year-old parent or grandparent behaving so erratically on a daily basis we would urgently seek professional help for that person.
7
I am curious when the article cites White House Aides, who exactly are you talking about?
1
And there it is - the real reason for signing -
"Speaking at the White House, Mr. Trump called the bill “ridiculous” but said it was important for INCREASING MILITARY SPENDING." Boy he wants that parade so badly!
7
Trump's new favorite phrase? "National Security".
As in, "I need four Big Macs, for national security reasons."
Or, "I need my multiple, months long affairs with prostitutes keep secret for national security reasons"
Or, "I need everyone in public service to buy Trump branded wine and steaks for national security reasons."
Or, "I can't be impeached, indicted and sent to prison for life because of national security reasons."
7
The most surefire sign he was going to sign it: when he tweeted pretending he might not.
3
It has to be an historic first. While listening to Trump, Vice President Pence actually lost his mannequin-like smile and seemed to show some serious concern. Maybe, he too realizes how unhinged our president has become.
5
25 billion here, 25 billion there, before you know it it adds up to real money.
6
I am puzzled. If it’s ridiculous, why sign it? By signing it, hasn’t the President tacitly accepted the underlying rational that (a) the wall need not be a bargaining parameter any more, and (b) the DACA policy issue must be, henceforth, fielded separately?
1
Sorry, Trump is right.
Trump calls out Dems for not bothering with the 800k DACA recipients. We are reminded in the last paragraph, of course, Trump offered to protect the original 800k + a million or so more.
Dems were livid a few months ago, then they got more than originally planned and... crickets. Whatever the monthly outrage is, they're behind, until it's time to make policy.
All you have to do is talk Trump out of his inane wall via more money for border protection; it's an easy bipartisan effort.
1
He complains that the bill doesn't provide anything for DACA, yet he blithely ignores the fact that he signed an order placing the deadline on DACA. Now, he blames the Democrats for doing nothing to help those caught in the DACA mess.
I suppose he calls this 'stable genius.' I call it dishonesty bordering on insanity.
4
Once again, Trump flip-flops twice in less than 24 hours.
It's one of the reasons why he's such a weak negotiator. If you can't stay strong on your own promises, you cannot but loose.
So now, instead of at least having the strength to accept that the buck stops with him, he's reduced, in less than two years in office already, to signing bills that he himself calls "ridiculous".
And that indeed is quite ridiculous, IF you ran as a "master in the art of the deal" ...
And if he can't even beat Congress, how will he ever be able to obtain good deals from strong dictators such as Putin or Xi ... ??
5
Hey Donald! Here's an idea: just say that the Wall isn't being paid for in this bill because you're making the biggest, most beautiful deal ever with Mexico! They're going to pay for it. You're just working out the details, like a nuclear attack on Mexico City if they don't.
1
Wow, Trump's a bigger wastrel than any president before him!
13
An unbelievable spectacle. Emperor Donald the Dumb seemed to be incredibly deranged--rambling on reading a list of military equipment which he couldn't even read cohesively, and then blaming Democrats for the failure of DACA when it is clear the Republicans are clearly the main obstacle--he fooled no one.
Given that this was a bi-partisan bill, he had no cause to make this address a partisan attack--including another call for the elimination of the filibuster (ain't gonna happen, Don).
Our nation is crippled by this crazy person. We must get rid of him, or at least curtail his insanity.
46
" 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by the Democrats"
Guess he doesn't know that the repubs control everything in Congress and no DACA is mentioned because repubs could not care less about them
"BORDER WALL, which is desperately needed for our National Defense, is not fully funded,"
Guess he forgot that Mexico is supposed to pay for it, therefore no funds need in OUR budget.
Good 'ol Trump. Dumb as a rock. Not to denigrate rocks.
44
If any of us had a father or uncle or colleague of advancing age who acted in this way -- rapid changes of intentions, flashes of anger, vicious personal attacks on friends, mood swings, apparent confusion over basic facts of what's happening around him, difficulty with language and things like spelling -- we would be seeking medical advice.
We would be afraid for his safety and certainly for our own.
Yet here we sit -- watching him decompensate and fall apart, talking as if he is some shambling victim of those bad people who are MAKING him do things.
And shuffle off the stage like some doddering idiot.
I'm sure our enemies abroad and within are rubbing their hands together in glee -- let's go get America, because the leader is incapable of anything and he's feeling his Cabinet with TV personalities.
We can't just say well the generals are there, they will keep us safe. McMaster is gone. Kelly is powerless. Even Mattis can't do anything alone as long as Trump is surrounding himself with the likes of Bolton and Kurlow.
We are as weak as we have ever been and it is terrifying.
38
Not only that, "we" are now a malicious, malevolent threat to the rest of the world.
I am so sick and tired of this tantrum-throwing 70-year-old infant. Trump is pathetic, as is the Republican Congress who lie supine regardless of what he does. I hope the mid-terms are a Democratic tsunami.
50
Let's hope Trump does not start a war to distract us from all his scandals. With war loving Bolton onboard it is a real possibility. What Trump should do is put his deposition with Muller's team on pay per view TV to raise some money to pay off the additional debt he is running up.
16
Am I missing something or did the kidnapper (i.e., Trump vis a vis DACA) just blame the failure of those to come up with the ransom (Democrats) for the plight of the hostages? His combination of chutzpah and stupidity is truly astounding.
27
"I will never sign a bill like this again." Setting aside Trump's whiny passive aggression, he's right. His presidency won't last long enough for him to sign another spending bill. I only pray the rest of us will outlast him.
27
Yeah, we want money for the military to make more war in the Middle East, in Africa so that Erik Prince has someone to invoice. Us, the taxpayers. We are getting fleeced. They are picking our pockets. We are lining their wallets. Billions are going to Trump and his buddies.
What in the world do people who vote for republicans think they are doing?
Golden parachutes, that's what, built with taxpayer dollars.
They feasted at the bailouts after the Great Recession and want more!
16
"The president abruptly backed down from his threat to veto the spending bill in a head-spinning four hours at the White House that left both political parties in Washington reeling and his own aides bewildered about Mr. Trump’s contradictory actions."
Why would they be bewildered? Trump policy pronouncements change minute by minute and carry no weight. This is standard operating procedure that is being repeated for the umpteenth time and certainly does not warrant any bewilderment. When has this dumb-as-a-rock POTUS ever had anything other than a shallow visceral response to anything?
9
The ultimate casino owner and the New York City real estate mogul known for his blustery hardball negotiating skills, while sitting across his opponents playing poker with the US Budget, finally blinked and caved in.
He was unable to bend the political animals in US Congress to his whims.
He could not have done anything different given the ever-growing number of people getting fired, or leaving his administration on their own.
Glad I am living in a republic.
3
Dear Trump, when did you find out about "veto"? Somebody mention it on Fox? I'll bet you thought they were speaking about a mobster from one of your failed casinos. It's enough to straighten your hair.
8
"The president abruptly backed down from his threat to veto the spending bill in a head-spinning four hours at the White House that left both political parties in Washington reeling and his own aides bewildered about Mr. Trump’s contradictory actions."
And what happened to the little boy who cried wolf?
7
That Trump news conference was an exercise in complete incoherence. I know Wilbur Ross is pretty old but I didn't know he was completely demented. And the rambling Trump....what a lump of (fill in the blank.) God help us all.
11
Not to worry, Trump is all bluster, he lacks the ability to read or understand so he blows just to inflate himself.
4
When are the Republicans in Congress going to get a backbone and shut down this disgraceful child in the White House? They had better act in the best interests of the country or say goodbye in November.
13
Do you think he knows the definition of "ridiculous" given his daily ridiculous behavior which he considers normal? Maybe the word "ridiculous" is his code word for "losing" as in the wall funding.
5
Simplest explanation on the reversal: he's senile, and he forgot what he said and did 24 hours ago.
Also works for most of the things he says and does.
8
Trump threw his idea (the veto) at the wall. Not enough people cheered the splatter pattern. He backtracked.
That was the story of his campaign. That is the story of his presidency.
11
The Bully-in-Chief blinked! Democrats need to keep taking him on, and showing their mettle will lead them to victory in November.
9
I wonder if 45 had read the bill?
Never mind...
5
Does anyone seriously believe anything this guy says? If so...WHY ?
TRUMP is not the 'clear & present danger'...Ryan, McConnell & their fellow Republican minions are simply using the 'pretend President' for the aggrandizement of their 1% base. Their end game=crank the deficit to biblical proportions with superfluous partisan spends & then go after entitlement cuts....HARD....
3
Maybe I'll sign the bill. Maybe I won't. Ha Ha. Made you look!
9
And the line between farce and tragedy continues to blur for America and its government....
5
President signs "ridiculous" bill. At bottom, that's a "signing statement" meaning that a Republican controlled Congress and a Republican White House simply can't govern competently.
Dealer calls lowball poker, deuces wild.
4
"Shame on the Democrats for not fixing DACA!" exclaims the man who singlehandedly ended DACA...
9
“I will never sign another bill like this again.”
Oh please, oh please, oh please.
9
Whoa!...guess what? Trump didn't read the bill either! And at $150.00 a foot for the wall...how does he not have enough money for the wall??? $1,600,000,000 divided by two thousand miles equals $800,000 a mile which divided by 5,280 feet is about $150.00 a foot. I'm going to Home Depot to see what I can build for that much! America, do the math!
3
Has anyone even considered that the cost of this wall - billions and billions - solves an issue that isn't worth that cost? Also, If someone wanted to get past any border wall, just ram a big enough truck through it. Or a few hundred dollars of explosives should do it.
Or better yet, do as most illegals do - come here on a legal visa and then never leave after it expires.
1
Why do we even need a president anymore, I feel like I can just put on "My Cartoon President". And even there they don't come close to the reality we have in the Whitehouse today.
4
Paper Tiger. What a surprise.
3
Trump is right, (Oh my! Did I write that?) This game of chicken is getting old. We need a rational budgeting process--such as we used to have. Tight deadlines result in force feeding the weapons manufacturers as well as avoiding any real debate on the direction the country should take. That said: Trump surely knows the Constitution--it places spending decisions in Congress. A POTUS line-item veto is old, worn out smoke. Short of anything positive to contribute, Trump rambled on and on: Wall good, Dems bad. DACA good, Dems bad. Military good, Dems bad. And dearie me, what did he mean when he said we've "recovered all our territory from ISIS?" Did Mosul etc become the 51st State?
4
Last time I checked, the spending bill for the USA is payed (mostly) by American citizens.
So why would it have any "wall" money? His promise was: "MEXICO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE WALL!!!"
A man of his word, as usual...
4
This may not be the most thoughtful or productive spending bill, but HE is what is ridiculous.
5
"Ridiculous" is what one would call this president who doesn't understand his role as POTUS. The spending bill is just another less than perfect piece of legislation from a Congress that functions more for political kudos than for the good of the country.
3
All bark and no bite. Leaders around the world have learned to read Trump very well.
5
I am going to repeat this as often as necessary. NO WALL.
5
His aides were stunned? This is so quintessentially Trump that I find it hard to believe this was unexpected.
He was essentially shut out of the real process, reduced to making a few perfunctory phone calls. But he obviously felt he should be seen as important and "in charge", and despite praise from Republicans in Congress his mountainous ego is insatiable. So this little "I may veto/no I won't" whipsaw was his way of preening on the stage and putting the fear of God back into lawmakers and staff. In his mind, that's what good managers do to their underlings.
Once you realize he lies constantly based on obvious personal motives, he becomes very predictable.
3
I doubt Trump ever seriously considered a veto. This was a shoutout to his base, which votes like crazy in primaries and is the only reason he has any power. His base is vehemently anti-immigrant and pro-wall — "build that wall" being their rallying cry. This lets him seem like he's been fighting hard for a wall without actually having to build it, which would be costly and internationally contentious, and anyway would only be symbolic. Which is all any of this is: Playing with symbols to fire up divisions between voters. What a sad, cynical and selfish move. But what else is new.
3
About that Trump Wall (of Shame) that no one wants.
If Trump is so concerned about fulfilling his campaign promises to his base, then I say: don't build that wall until Mexico writes the check to pay for it.
4
So ... even after his own chief of staff Gen. Kelly explained that IF you want to secure the southern border, a wall has been proven to NOT be the most efficient investment ... Trump continues to want billions of taxpayer money (contrary to Mexican money, as he promised) to build a wall - wall which a vast majority of Americans rejects too.
And THAT, he now tells us, is why he refused to sign the Dream Act into law, although more than 85% of the American people and more than 70% of GOP voters support this bipartisan bill.
In other words: instead of representing the American people, he tried to take them hostage. Thanks to the Democrats (who were even willing to pay for his wall, IF in turn HE would respect the will of the American people on DACA), he failed.
Go Democrats!!
(and then of course we're not even mentioning the fact yet that Democrats also managed to stop his horribly anti-American social safety net cuts, which the vast majority of GOP voters opposes too ...)
WHAT a ridiculous situation/presidency indeed ...
3
Consider the last minute deal making, the handwringing, the accusations, loathing and ridicule it produced on both side of the isle, stir in senseless tweets revealing Trump's dizzying flip-flops, and it all leads to this last minute, breath-holding suspense. All this for a bill to keep the government open until the end of September. Regardless how it plays out, it's but a prelude to an apocalypse yet to come for the next budget cycle starting this summer.
7
Trump, should be building a bridge of friendship to allow our neighbors, exports and imports free passage into the USA rather than a wall to exclude immigrants. Our country needs a reasonable plan to promote free trade and travel to and from Mexico and Canada, two of our most important trading partners.
5
He could have paid for his stupid wall with all of the money he has spent on weekly flights to Florida to play golf. I think the best we can hope for is that Mr. Mueller completes his investigation and indites Trump before he and Bolton can blow up the world.
9
Oh, I recall that Mexico was going to pay for his Wall?
8
As a Canadian watching that, all I really got out of it is that Americans prioritize their military over anything else, including the well-being of its people. As your government reminds me and most of my fellow countrymen and women every day, i cannot be more thankful to be Canadian.
7
That; and corporate welfare; Congress voting for undeserved pay raises....shall I go on?
1
The Democrats lost (yet again) a golden opportunity to call the President's bluff. Here is what they should have done: Immediately upon Trump's veto musings this morning, Pelosi should have invited Trump to carry out his veto threat and to have then promised the most sweeping DACA protection bill possible, co-sponsored by all House Democrats, and to have prepared to introduce it this afternoon. Sad that they couldn't move quickly enough or with enough guts.
2
H.L. Mencken must have been a seer when he stated:
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken, On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe B.1880-D: 1956
Please, Democrats vote in every election. No staying home and no write-ins.
That's a sure vote for trump.
MAGA - DUMP TRUMP and all of his sycophants in the GOP.
8
Can we PLEASE impeach this incompetent narcissist? Other than selling snake oil, he has zero redeeming qualities.
9
Trump folds. Kim Jong-un is watching.
4
Ridiculous?
Only a ridiculous President would sign a bill he says is ridiculous.
Credibility? None. Welcome to the leader of the USA.
6
I heard DJT say: "I will never sign another bill like this again." He is prescient. It is because he will be impeached before the next Omnibus Budget Bill comes from the Congress. Good night and good luck Mr. trump.
5
How can anyone, including his own aides, claim to be "bewildered about Trump's contradictory actions" that's his standard behavior.
3
The largest cost of building the wall would be legal fees as land owners along the border fought expropriation. The wall would cut their cattle off from the river. The wall would have to include some sort of parallel moat or ditch containing drinking water pumped up from the river. The wall is not a well-thought-out solution to anything.
2
Mr. Trump is keeping Americans entertained and making the US government a joke. I suspect that is what many of those who voted for him hoped for.
4
The Roman Empire over-extended itself with military spending and we all know what happened next.
2
I can’t shake this feeling that Trump knows he’s going down, and he wants to take the entire country with him.
6
For eight years Democrats told me they couldn't get anything done (not even a hearing for Obama's Supreme Court nominee) because Republicans kept filibustering everything.
Now Trump has $165 billion in new military spending, because centrist Democrats led by Schumer are helping Trump "get things done."
I will not vote for a spineless party that refuses to actually RESIST the worst president ever. I will not vote for a party that lets Republican lite Blue Dogs oppose ours own policies while they vote for Republican policies. I will not vote for a party that acts as if it its designed to fail, retaining at every opportunity, and constantly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
If you want to win in November, you have to actually differentiate the Democratic Party from the party is Trump, oppose their policies, and strongly advocate for policies that will help the American worker.
When Republicans are out of power the they don't back down. Democrats never stop backing down.
Americans don't vote for spineless doormats. If you want the People to believe that you can stop Trump, so that they actually come out to vote for you in the Midterms, you have to actually try to stop Trump and the Party that elected them.
3
This craziness will not end. I don't know he is on drugs or has some kind of dementia, or maybe he just has a basic character disorder. I don’t care any more. I think the only way it will end for him to go forward with this threat and bring the government to a halt. This will ultimately create great disruption in the country, but not so much as is being created by Trump’s insane actions. Lets bring it to a head. Call his bluff, and make him shut it down.
2
Maybe congress thought dt got a check from Mexico for the wall?
As I recall they are paying for it, right? Or did I miss something? I mean it’s not like the president would lie about something like that.
3
Poor Donald and his base. Still no wall. But his base doesn't recognize how his bluster and cluelessness and giveaways to the ultrarich harm all of us. Not to mention the ongoing lies and betrayal we suffer at his hands as well as those of his enablers in Congress. But still, no wall. Mexico isn't paying for it. So far neither are we. Makes me smile.
5
Hope he never gets the chance to sign another bill period. Remove him now and put him in prison where he belongs. No bills to sign there.
11
Trump is a master manipulator and his threat of a veto was another distraction.
5
Master manipulator? Thanks what you saw here?
Get him out. Utterly exhausting and dangerous.
12
Mark my word, it is a fake bluster, he will sign the bill then ridicule it.
The DACA problem is his own manifestation.
The border wall is to be paid by the Mexican Government. He should ask them for funding.
All this bluster, extra-ordinary staff changes have one and only one seeming goal, "Keep the McDougal interview out of news cycle."
7
"Mexico will pay for the wall"
"No more stupid wars"
"I love the DACA kids"
"I can tell them anything, they will believe whatever I say"
"no collusion, no collusion"
+many, many more lies & fabrications.
My fellow Americans please at the next election and in 2020 please chose wisely.
9
Trump is the Republican President with a Republican Congress. In other words, Trump is nearly irrelevant except for the shock and babble. Do we need this clown in front of a podium? Does Pence think, as Trump babbles, he is one day closer to the presidency? This is truly frightening.
5
Trump's "administration" is ridiculous.
6
Trump pulled this stunt for publicity; the TV president. Americans are tired of Trump's selfish; in American hyperbole. VOTE OUT GOP VOTE OUT TRUMP WE ARE FED UP Ray Sipe
5
What an odious man. His is personally responsible for killing DACA but as per usual refuses to accept personal responsibility for his actions.
5
Sign a bill you call ridiculous? How about showing a little leadership and vetoing it if it's so bad.
Or do you just want to take credit for averting a shutdown, without taking blame for a bad law. Nah, that doesn't sound like you at all, does it?
8
"Pitiful helpless president trolls with mouth while signing with hand and will never ever do it again"--there, fixed headline
9
Trump- All hat, no cattle.
14
I wish he would just go away and take all of his sycophants with him.
The world would be such a better place.
9
All Donald had to do was unrescind DACA and admit he threw people of color and refugees fleeing areas of conflict under his MAGA bus to get elected and charm his utterly base base. He is ridiculous and dangerous, along with his fellow GOP. Snakes in tutu's, clowns with AR-15's. A pox on all their houses. Given what we know about Donald's penchant for multiple partners of dubious pedigree and aversion to condoms, we stand by our pre election thought of dementia seen in pre-antiobiotic eras, chronic syphilitic encephalopathy. You can't treat what you don't diagnose.
8
It is safe to day that Trump has become a one man wrecking crew. his 14 months of tenure, he has alienated millions of Americans, our allies and has supported dictators (Putin, Xi, Erdogen, Saudi Royal Family, and Kim Jomng-Un). And, he has praised Putin for his iron grip on Russia, and dismissing Russia's continued interference with the US government.
The so called "tax cuts", have been hurting certain segments of the population; mostly middle and working class. His constant berating of immigrants, Hispanics, blacks, Muslims, etc., has awakened a dark element in this country. His foreign policy, if you can call it that, has made the world far more dangerous. And, his tariffs, and trade war, will have create enough negative traction, that will send the world into another recession.
The idea that he was about to shut down the government, because the latest spending bill did not deal with immigrations, or his Iron Curtain type wall, just goes to show how dangerous Trump is.
Trump is what is "ridiculous". A total ignorant, racist, moronic imbecile that makes "The Three Stooges" look like Einstein, Hawking and Edison rolled into one. What is worse, is the GOP, their leaders in Congress, and a major block of that party, continues to allow Trump to systematically destroy this country.
I wish Mueller hurries up, and finally reveal the true scandal of Trump, and end his presidency. This is the best the world can hope for.
20
Well said. But you forgot the murderer Duerte....who he also admires. Probably got the death penalty idea from him.
Every day is worse than the day before.
2
I bet he signed off on the bill, so he could get on with his nap. I suspect - that just like the recent tax legislation - there are a whole lot of add ons - written in the margins - that no one really understands and will pretty much benefit the 1% and the state of Kentucky. The democrats must take control of at least one part of Congress - It will be the only thing that will save us.
5
Earth to Trump - there will be no border wall. No one wants it. That includes the mainstream GOP. They just won't say it directly. But they don't want it. No one wants it. Give it up. Stop talking about it. Just file it in the loss column, or in the "one more thing I can't really do" column.
15
One more thing he just can't do, eh? Like see his feet?
1
More military spending is what changed his mind? Not the health, jobs, public safety, and education of millions of Americans that would be endangered without all the other spending in this budget bill?
15
Trump obviously had a tantrum this morning. Someone managed to alter his path and avert disaster. But the day is not over. What's next from President Chaos?
12
Wow, $700 billion for the Military? I wish I had money and no conscience; I'd buy lots of defense stock in anticipation.
A naive question: is an improved tank or plane going to protect or prevent cyber attacks on our nation? I think the enemy within is as scary as the ones elsewhere.
14
Shooting at a moving target is far more beneficial than a sitting duck. This will only help improve his Democratic critics’ aim. In the spirit of gun control, now whenever they lay fire on him for whatever he does they can maybe now use only a long rifle as opposed to the AR 15’s they’ve been accustomed to using.
3
It would be interesting to see Trump's maddeningly chaotic decision making monetized so that America could appreciate the taxpayer's cost of his infantile leadership style and figure out if they still want to pay for it
9
Question: Why do we need a wall between us and Mexico, and yet we allow Russians in, in ways much more sinister without even a mention?
17
Government by a 3-year-old throwing a ‘I want’ tantrum.
8
Pretty much in every article these days: “... in a head-spinning four hours at the White House that left both political parties in Washington reeling and his own aides bewildered about Mr. Trump’s contradictory actions.”
As Yoda would say—off the rails, he is.
12
Hold it. I thought Mexico was paying for the wall. What a "ridiculous" idea the wall is. Are there no adults who can move the country forward? November can't come soon enough.
9
Believing it is ridiculous and signing it anyway is a clear sign that he is completely incapable of performing his duties. If he cannot check the legislature, then he is unfit for office.
The more likely scenario, however, is that Trump doesn't even understand the bill, and just signed it because he is weak willed.
6
Trump used the wrong pronoun -"it" (the bill) is not "ridiculous". He should have said "I" (or his staff use "he") is "ridiculous".
7
Why can't Trump rescind HIS rescinding of DACA. Trump is the one who caused this mess...let him clean it up.
6
if he thinks it "ridiculous" then it must be ok.
3
Of course he signed it, but had to throw a tantrum beforehand like a 6-year-old who didn't get his way. What a disgrace...but stormy days are still ahead.
7
Trump does not need a wall. We can use drones, gifted with eagle like vision, and super sharp intelligence to guard our southern border. It would be much more effective and and cheaper.
4
I doubt Mr. Trump will actually veto it. Even he can see that is political suicide.
This seems to be fairly typical Trumpian bluster. He's playing chicken, testing the waters to see if he can get either side to budge. Having bought a house a few time now, it's seems to be a fairly common real estate tactic: threaten to pull out unless the sellers fix the windows, or repaint the living room, that sort of thing.
Thing is, that's not how the legislative process works.
I also have no problem looking like a fool to a whopping 3 people in a real estate transaction. And here our president is looking like a fool to billions....
4
"I will never sign another bill like this again" - 45
Yes, we agree that you will be impeached and imprisoned before we need you to sign another appropriations bill.
11
God I'm tired of this. God I'm tired of this. As a sure solution, we can prohibit filibuster by Democrats only. Great idea. Great idea. Beautiful wall. Beautiful wall.
4
So Trump signed the bill despite his threat. Seriously, does anyone doubt the instability of this man? How can Congress possibly expect the country to thrive under this sort of constant upheaval? He is a threat to America and a threat to the world.
Republicans in Congress, you are fools if you think that walking around in Trump's wake will save you from the upheaval of the midterm elections. If you won't do your job to protect this country, the American people will.
7
Just the latest from the headline-grabbing, tweet-taunting, deal-breaker at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I'm glad he just signed the budget bill. Meanwhile he's laid a giant egg to welcome Easter some of which is now on his face.
3
Since he doesn't read and they weren't reading the budget on Fox news how would he know what was in it? I thought Ms. Hicks with her index cards had left the TV reality show. Each day with this administration gets worst than the previous one.
4
Seems to me Trump's veto threat is shiney object deployed to talk about military and immigration with aim to distract from recent firings, quits, hiring Bolton, last night's CNN interview and Stormy's on Sunday.
6
The Bully is gutless when push comes to shove. And it's a pleasure watching both the left and Trump's own rabid base figuring it out.
1
The bill is a compromise giving both Republicans some, but not all, of what they wanted. Trump vetoing the bill because he didn't get enough funding for his stupid wall which he claimed Mexico would pay for would have been ridiculous.
2
No, he's ridiculous .
7
Yup, Donald the Coward/Cadet Bone Spurs in full glory.
Now time to get out of Washington for golf before another massive protest against him and his nihilist allies.
8
Look who's calling who "Ridiculous".
Bogus President....
5
Wait a minute, Mexico is paying for the wall. We were told this by Trump over and over again. Why does Congress need to get involved? McConnell and Ryan have made very clear they don't want to pay for a useless wall.
I think it's time for the great negotiator to spring into action with his Mexican counterpart.
5
I guess he realized another 1000 point drop on the DOW wouldn't be so good for him...
so he signed the bill.
How many more months til we can push the off button on this reality teevee nightmare?
5
The man's behaviors grow ever more erratic. He's losing touch with reality and the bubble of people he trusts is growing tighter. Fox News is where he goes to affirm his already narrow and distorted thinking.
Look at the person, his mental, psychological, and emotional history and realize that whatever is going on in his psyche is progressing to the point of extreme dangerousness to our country.
So many of us are alarmed and have no where to turn when our Congress, the religious right, corporations, and major donors set the agenda. Look back to WWII and see the horrors committed against civilians using similar language to what the Right uses. The threat to civilization is grave.
5
Just another episode of Real Presidents of the White House reality TV.
Was this pretended refusal to sign the bill a distraction from what's gone on this week? An attempt at better TV ratings? Playing to his base?
It really doesn't matter. It's just another boring episode of another boring soap opera.
If only the fate of the US wasn't at stake in all of this mess.
7
If they would really and truly shut down the whole federal government for several months, including the White House, I would be for it. Republican voters have been convinced by subversive GOP propaganda that our government does nothing useful or important for ordinary citizens. Stop all the benefit checks, freeze Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals, stop inspecting meat, let industries dump chemicals in rivers that supply drinking water, freeze student loans and transportation grants to cities and states. Lay off without retroactive pay the millions of federal employees working everywhere in the country and all civilian military employees.
4
For those who would like to get rid of the Federal government, Don't forget, let everyone/no one in the country, ground all air travel. DIsband the army/navy, Turn off the power grid, dont provide any inspections on food, get rid of ambassadors (oops already did)...
"It is the function of the federal government to protect the welfare of the people."
Trump and GOP do not like that.
2
He blusters and threats that he'll never sign a similar bill again, but he will. Either that or he and the Republicans can shut down the government weeks before the November elections.
4
The last sentence in this piece says everything. Now it is up to the Congress to fix the DACA program and allow a path to citizenship.
This person acts like a spoiled child who is very unhappy that he didn’t get all of the toys he asked for at Christmas and throws a fit. This is a person who is the president.
3
This is not merely Trump's negotiation.
This is another of Trump's attempts at tearing down our democracy.
His personnel actions over the last few weeks are the preludes of his desires.
If he does this, we have to believe that there enough of us in our country who will not let this happen.
He is subject to the rule of law like everyone else. If he does this, it will invoke a Constitutional crisis, which the People must win.
6
We must remind our representatives and our Military leaders that they swore an oath to the Constitution, not the President.
2
What's ridiculous is having a president who hates his own government and the people of his country this much.
16
Readers should recall how vigorously Republicans opposed creation of the Department of Homeland Security—and how staunchly they championed border security once they realized the contracts to be dispensed. In 2007 Bush selected Boeing—and who knows land borders better than Boeing?—to create an electronic border security system on the southern border. Boeing took the money and threw together existing off-the-shelf technologies for a series of tests called Project 28. Each failed miserably and publicly. P28 could not tell the difference between raindrops and people. Yet the Secretary of DHS immediately defended it and pledged unqualified support. Fast forward 11 years and the Republicans are still on message. Without the Trump Great Wall and Casino we may as well surrender to North Korea. This is deep kimchee, comrades, best ingested with unlimited quantities of Kool Aid. Drink deeply, America. And a toast to the Contractor-in-Chief. But do this in the daytime, because he just may turn out the lights.
12
He's even a coward at bluffing. Mismo, his tariff games.
Never mind the real impacts on the stock market, world affairs, etc. Mommy, if I can't do things my way, I'm just going to take all my marbles and run home!
12
In an earlier post I suggested this was just Trump's standard operating procedure and that he would sign the bill. Now it appears, according to W.H. staff, he will...sign the bill. When is everyone going to stop biting on the Narcissist-in-Chief's nonsensical, yet reckless tweets. He stirred everyone up, yet again, for his own sick entertainment. I am still betting he signs the bill. If he doesn't, come November, nobody will remember the tax cuts; only the government shutdown. This is the definition of Trump being Trump.
7
He's only threatening to veto to please his base, who have been whining ever since this budget was announced because there's no funding for the Wall. He'll sign it - he's not going to cause a shutdown just because of the Wall.
8
If trump wants to golf this weekend he'll sign it. That's all it takes. He'll sign it, believe me.
14
That is a spot-on impersonation.
2
And if it addressed DACA he would veto it because of that. All he wants to do is create chaos.
17
Trump will enjoy the episode of the reality tv show of our collective life in the United States, when he shuts down our government for a while. It will, as usual, be one of his ploys to gain laser like focused attention on himself, and that's all he does anyway. So, a little more drama coming our way from a man who cares nothing for the country, just his reality show ratings.
8
He'll sign it. He's a bully at first and then when reality sets in always a coward.
The Chinese have an excellent phrase for the toddler in chief.
It is so apropos. It is called wet noodle.
16
It pains me to say this, but isn't he absolutely 100% dead-on right about the Democrats and the Dreamers?
1
No, not when he forces the Dems to accept ridiculous conditions ($25 billion for The Wall) in return.
And let's not forget who CREATED the program, nor who CANCELLED it. He twists the fault around like a pretzel.
2
Who ended DACA? Hint: It wasn't the Democrats.
1
Trump continues his "All chaos, all the time" presidency.
For the sake of the country, VOTE on 11/06/2018.
20
Things are falling apart in Trumpland. I think the upcoming week will prove to be (finally) the beginning of the end of this sad episode in our nation's history.
8
Oh Holy Zeus, make this nightmare end for our country. Please hurry, Mr. Mueller. Surely there are indictments that can come now, and some later. But please, start this process before this incompetent criminal takes down American Democracy, which was the goal as articulated by his continuing script master, Steven Bannon.
11
Anyone who watched Fox News last night knows why he’s considering this. Commentators spent a lot of time saying it was a good idea.
8
Is this a great country or what? Increasingly, we are governed by emotionally challenged people. Name another industrial society that is so supportive of adult males with the emotional composition of a twelve-year old. It's a good thing there won't be any negative consequences for the rest of us.
7
He's trying to assert himself as the sole authority of government. He thinks this move will make everyone's afraid of him and put him on the road to becoming the monarch or dictator he wants to be. He's saying: My way or the highway.
We, and our politicians, all have to tell Trump to hit the road, unless we want the U.S. to become just another corrupt pseudo-democracy.
5
this demonstrates the need to have more Republicans in Congress. the spending is out of control. there is no way to keep our military funded unless we give in to democratic demands on domestic spending and flat out waste. in just a few years, the interest on the national debt will exceed the budget for the military. there
1
you do know that republicans run the house senate and white house right ?
1
Perhaps you’ve forgotten that the republicans are the ones who spend money but only when they are in control. If a black president wants to spend it to get the middle class out of a devastating recession it’s forbidden. Remember the W/Cheney years when deficits didn’t matter?
2
I wonder how our Mad King will react to having his veto over-ridden? Unfortunately, this well earned rebuke depends on the cringe-making Freedom Caucus and their Fellow Travelers. Let's hope they take a deep breath and do their duty to the American People....all of them.
1
Having brought Bolton aboard, is it even reasonable to expect Trump to realize the damage another shut down would cause. Trump is turning his back on America every chance he gets. Having Congress overturn his veto would be a a shot heard around our country.
Trump is out of control and needs to be shut down hard. Is there anyone there strong enough to do it?
7
We are not paying for his wall, Mr. Schumer. Make note of this, as 2018 looms large for Dems.
3
Wasn't he going to make Mexico pay for it? Seems to me that Congress is (rightfully) just calling his bluff.
2
Why are we paying attention to this? This is a child who feels he isn't being given the attention he deserves. There will be no veto. These Tweets are nonsense. There is really nothing to see here.
5
And there we go. All hat, no cowboy (as they say).
2
A number of people have speculated that this is intended as a distraction. For my part, I no longer believe in the distraction theory, since that implies that it's part of some sort of plan and I don't believe that this president is sufficiently aware of events and their implications to actually make plans.
It looks to me like this president has just enough understanding of his situation to know that things are going very badly for me, and he's firing off madly in all directions. The danger is that each time he fires in some direction the people who naturally face that direction feel that he's somehow "come to his senses" and that he was really on their side all along. This is wishful thinking, and it's naive at best. Trump is not on any side, he's utterly lost the plot and is making stuff up as best he can. It's well past time for the responsible members of both houses of congress to collaborate on a scheme to contain and control this president.
230
I think you are wrong. he is not the lost person that you make him out to be. He has successfully been able to staff his cabinet to his liking by firing everybody that got in his way. He has, de facto, installed a group of personell that conforms with his (Fox News) views to make himself the commander in chief supreme. Jon Kiparsky, think again . . .
1
Happy Friday from President Chaos. How can anyone negotiate anything with this guy? Why try? His word means nothing. Today, he probably picked up some criticism about the bill from Fox & Fiends and BAM! Everything from the past week's legislative efforts could be flushed away...
16
Too the fools who keep saying "I thought Mexico was paying for the wall !" - they still are, it's not difficult and has been reported on before.
Mexico will be paying for our $25 billion dollar wall by way of remittance payments or as part of a NAFTA renegotiation.
I thought NYT readers were supposed to be more informed than Trump voters like me ?
1
You do realize that all NAFTA negotiations are multilateral and require approval by Canada and Mexico as well as the USA? And that nothing has bern determined yet?
Oh, and that Mexico has entered into negotiations with several South American nations for agricultural products that will reduce their reliance on produce from the USA?
So, it seems that Mexico will be coming out of this sending less to the USA, not more.
1
1) That hasn't happened yet. 2) If it does, it's still us paying for the wall because we would be the ones who chose to spend money we could instead spend on schools, infrastructure, the military, etc. on a wall. 3) Even ignoring 1) and 2), fine. Set up a NAFTA remittance accounting unit, and send the funds to it once we start receiving those payments. Until then, no need for Congress to allocate even one penny to the wall.
What do you mean by remittance payment? We’re going to send them a bill and they write us a check? And renegotiating trade can only mean one of two things. Either Mexican imports are taxed, in which case the American consumers will pay for the wall by having to spend more on purchases, or exports to Mexico will be taxed in which case our exports will decline. This sounds like a good idea to you?
4
Let him shut down the government because of this altogether phony issue of a wall and national security. Let him shut down the government and take responsibility for it (not that he will). Let him shut down the government to achieve what? He's wreaking havoc on the stock market, he's backed down on gun control. Maybe we would all have been better off had he confronted that killer in the Florida high school and died a martyr to his cause of the wall.
11
let the government shut down. with Bolton and Pompeo it's obvious that Trump is going to wag the dog before the midterm elections and fight Iran and North Korea at a minimum. Sadly, it might just work and turn the midterms or in the case of a small miscalculation, we could all be annihilated. What a choice!!
11
I'm sure that John Bolton will agree to a DACA compromise.
Like everything in the Trump White House this is just a ploy to draw more attention to the Toddler-in-Chief. Will he or won't he? Stay tuned to find out. Any ploy to get more publicity is all that matters. It also gives him some time to find out what Fox News really thinks.
12
Is there anything positive anyone can say about Mr Trump? Has there ever been a more negative, self-serving individual with this much power in the history of the United States? There have been similar examples in non-democratic societies and the results were disastrous and long-term. Trump is the clear and present danger we thought could never happen in our country. We may be racing the clock to the next election, while Congress is whistling through a graveyard waiting to be filled.
298
If you want to hear something positive about Trump, just tune in to Fox news, or try to have a dialogue with one of his Evangelical-Hypocritical, sexist, racist supporters.
8
I'd rather have him than Hillary!!
2
Yes. I'm positive he is the greatest and most frightening danger our country has ever faced.
5
If Trump vetoes, and causes a shutdown, the first thing shut down should be Secret Service protection for the von Trump family.
11
As a Canadian observer of the train wreck that is the US government I say lets hope he does use the veto option. It would surely seal his and the GOP's fate in the November mid terms and the subsequent crisis brought on by a change at the presidential position by the impeachment proceedings.
106
As an American currently being held hostage by this administration, I can assure you that unless the shut down lasted until October, it would have no impact on the elections. The US's collective memory resembles that of a goldfish in all things.
12
I was thinking the same thing.
3
I don't know what you mean with the veto option. The one issue that could, in my opinion, lead to impeachment proceedings, would be the dismissal of Robert Mueller. That would be obstruction of justice and unlawful under the constitution.
Trump is getting more desperate. Expect a war to start any day. I think the tariffs were done a the behest of Russia who sees a China America rift to be good for Russia. Trump is doing what Russia wants, which is to continue to sew discard in America.
4
We are all in an unhealthy relationship from which we cannot extricate ourselves. The man wants a wall. The man wants a military parade. Good grief, he's like a spoiled child. He said he would run the United States like he runs his business, and he certainly hasn't failed to deliver on that promise. He is a petty so-called business man who likes backbiting, gossip, rivalry and the veneer of success. When he wasn't running businesses into the ground, he was emblazoning his name on buildings around the world. God help us if wasting money on vanity projects or having this man run the country into the ground are our only two options.
241
Jen, after everything he is doing to run the country into the ground your comment is, in a Charly Brown mode . . . good grief?
The President should veto this bill.
3
Please please please veto it. This will do so much to help teach the GOP how to stand up.
2
Anyone who is surprised by Trump's last minute "reversal" has not been paying attention - this is what he does; it's a planned negotiating tactic. Congress needs to call his bluff and override his veto, or we can expect this to keep happening.
78
I don't think it's a planned negotiating tactic. Trump doesn't plan, he isn't smart enough. He's a spoiled boy who isn't getting his way. He said he was building a big beautiful wall and they aren't giving it to him. It's bad enough he can't make the Mexicans pay for it, but his own underlings are thwarting his wishes as well. Listen to any spoiled American child whine, wheedle and threaten his parents. It's the exact same script.
3
If the government shuts down, hope Trump's salary, office, food service, airplane, helicopter, flights for his family, and Secret Service protection are the very first things to be stopped. Also all payments to his staff.
5
The fact that the president is now squarely to the left of a good deal of senate Democrats, most notably Chuck Schumer, on Dreamers is all the evidence we need that the Democratic party is an utter failure, and those people need to resign immediately or re-register as republicans.
8
What a bizarre argument, and one made as if it's a given fact.
Delaying a decision on DACA for 2.5 years, which means no certainty for DACA recipients for 2.5 years, is considered "left of a good deal of senate Democrats?"
Bless your heart.
14
What are you talking about?
14
He's not left of the Dems, he's lying and blaming the Dems.
10
"The United States can't have a budget unless I say so."
He's reminding us that we need him, badly.
1
Trump hatred has led to this moment when Trump has nothing to lose by vetoing this and shutdown the government.
If he does "reach out" to the opposition and signs the bill, he will not experience any easing of the relentless attacks on him nor change the viciously negative narratives about him.
If he vetos the bill, he gains more favor with his large base who elected him and will champion as a hero and Washington outsider who keeps his election promises.
Will any anti-Trumpers really change their minds about him if he signs the bill? He has nothing to lose and every thing to gain with his veto.
6
Yeah trumps only acting like an absolute crazy person because of those darn libs criticizing him all the time. We just need to have faith in our great leader and he will work everything out on his own. Ridiculous.
7
You way way overestimate this man. he is a coward and a fool. I just wonder how anyone --left or right or whatever--can support him? seems to be all false pride at having "won" the election.
5
You done got played.
Again.
4
I wouldn't put much weight on that Tweet. He's just trying to score points with his base (border wall) and Hispanics (DACA). He doesn't really care about either of those things.
5
If Trump's pig-headed enough to do it, it will be past 4:00 pm, after the markets close. There's no way he wants to be blamed for another bigly bad day in stocks. But on Monday, when markets open, and rich Republicans find that their combined portfolios are worth $500 Brillion less than they are at this moment, then Trump may finally be G.O.P. toast. Money talks, Trump walks.
66
I've been saying this all along. Keep your eyes on the Market! When it dives, so will Trump.
3
He signed it but given how his recent trade genius is tanking the stock market suspect he signed it ti prevent further economic erosion.
1
No pathway to citizenship for DACA and their extended families. Never! Much better that they take their wonderful talents back home to Mexico, and help turn Mexico into a decent country.
2
Pass the bill and get Mexico to pay for the wall. Simple, really. What's his problem??
:)
2
Trump throws grenades every day to divert our attention to his support for Russia over America. But understand this, we will continue to investigate this greedy low-life and then hopefully kick him out of office.
5
The greatest slap to the face of Mr. Trump would be if the Congress and the Senate over-rode the presidential veto by a two thirds vote in each house. Watch the twitter tantrums then!
3
This man is a film flam artist. You fell for the bait by making this a serious headline. I wish i could bet real $ at good odds that he won't veto.
His continuous bragging about the stock market going up on his watch would be taken out of his fake arsenal.
Of course he won't veto this bill, but with Bolton in charge, we'll see far more things that will be worse.
2
What a phony. He could have solve the immigration problem. he is just out for attention. We need to vote him out and his lousy Republican congress needs to go also.
Why is financing the border wall an issue? I thought the Mexicans are paying for it.
3
Trump is a fake, therefore any news about him, by definition, is fake news.
1033 days to go.
American doesn't want to pay for a wall.
Mexico doesn't want to pay for a wall.
Maybe Trump should pursue financing with Russia.
2
How much idiocy do we have to suffer through before the Republican members of the Congress grow some spine and say a decisive N O to this aberration of a President? I am afraid the suffering will go on particularly in the light of Lindsey Graham praising the choice of Bolton and thus making an about face to his earlier remark when he warned Trump that the firing of Mr. Muller would ring in the end of his Presidency.
How many rounds of Golf did Trump have to promise Graham to play with him to soften his spine sufficiently?
We can only hope that the voters remember this madness come November.
6
I thought Mexico was going to pay for the wall?
11
Do it, shut it down! But ensure the salary stoppage effects all levels including no pay for executive, judicial and legislative branch. It's not like budget renewal just pops up on their calendars randomly. Plan, discuss, take it seriously and work out the details before going into overtime. Duh.
Whatever you do, Do Not Bend to Slippery Dons tweet storms. He killed DACA, not the Dem's. So much for the Oath of Office and basic concepts of Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth!
5
Ah, the fear of losing the spotlight! What else will this fool throw out there to deflect from the March for Our Lives and the Stormy Daniels interview? The
United States is merely a bit player in the trump psychodrama.
5
So what happened to the "Mexico is going to pay for it" meme?
5
Oh look- another opportunity for spineless Chuck Schumer to cave. Lets see how long it takes him this time-- two days, three?
Unstable Trump and Co. will get their wall. It would be better if the Democrats got a spine.
So he was going to sign the bill until he watched Fox and Friends this morning? Apparently Rupert Murdock is the real president.
4
In some respects the more the orange one reveals or channel's his inner 5 yr. old, the more of his base chips away. Of course the die hard Kool Ade guzzler s will go down with their dear leader but what is left after the college educated women and men abandon him plus some blue collar worker's that now see the light will not save him from the oncoming wave. Right now he is the best argument to vote Democrat in November and foward until the Trumpistas are gone.
Is his temper tantrum really over immigration, or the Russian sanctions instead? I’d bet my last dime on the latter.
1
Two words for Trump: "Ask Mexico." That's what he told his rabid fans during the campaign. Want a wall? Ask Mexico for the money. Don't hold the Dreamers hostage.
1
What a sad, sorry little man. He always has to be the center of attention, any attention, usually negative. Waiting for the day the US will not be held hostage by trump's insanity and unstableness.
3
Why can't someone in Congress attach an amendment, or rider, to this bill that requires all members of Congress to pay for their own health care?
There's no way that would pass.
1
I absolutely believe the best thing for the United States is to encourage Trump to veto this legislation.
Absolutely.
Do it!
A veto can be overridden...which it would have to be if the Dems hold their ground by not yielding another inch. And the cowardly mob of GOP legislators will be forced to act in opposition to their "leader" or allow the government to be frozen...throwing their craven absence of responsibility to the Constitution in high relief.
Do it, Donnie...I double dog dare you! You weak kneed loser...getting walked all over by your congress.
3
Trump, don't blame the Democrats for not having the DACA recipients on this bill. You are the one who discontinued DACA thinking the congress would step up. Did it ever occur to you that maybe they won't do anything to get revenge for your stupid move last year? That maybe, just maybe, they want you to look as bad as you really are? Kicking 800,000 people out of the country? Besides this is a spending bill. DACA has nothing to do with spending. It will probably be on a bill by itself.
As far as the wall goes, no one wants that stupid thing. You got some money from this bill to do a few things - take it and shut up already about that stupid wall. I am so glad congress said you can't have any of the money towards any of those ugly monstrosities that you want to build.
23
Unless Mexico pays for it, building the stupid wall is not fulfilling a campaign promise.
16
The Democrats still haven’t learned how national politics are played.
They’ve let Trump attempt to take control of the DACA initiative when it’s clearly not really one of his priorities.
The Democrats need new leadership and a single string voice otherwise it will be 4 more years of Trump.
1
My tax dollars are not for building unless walls. They are for helping people and making life our country better.
42
Don't you wish? More than 1/2 of your tax dollar goes to the overbloated defense industry. Billions go into the sinkhole of the Pentagon, where it's "lost." Meanwhile, programs that help real people or defend us from illness, pollution, etc. are shrunk or killed off. Not making things better, for sure.
1
This is how a demagogue rolls, trying to get his way by shoving aside reason and decorum. Unfortunately, the nation and its citizens get to pay for his impulsive and erratic behavior. Call the bluff!
26
Perhaps the real reason Trump wants to veto the spending bill is that it contains a number of tough new measures against Russia. If Putin was my boss, the choice between vetoing a spending bill to send the US into further chaos or signing it and further encumbering Russia is a no-brainer. Gotta keep the boss happy!
8
Of course this is intended as another distraction. Why? Because the real news is so very bad for Trump. Imagine that, trade war, government shutdown, continuous threats of real war.. all a means to cover his ample behind and nothing more.
The GOP, Conservatives, and Right Wing Elitists sold what's left of their souls to elect a dangerous Putin Wannabe. Democrats are going to have to save the nation again. We can only hope the Dem victory in November be total so we can start to put an end to this travesty.
11
Stormy Weather ahead. Time for a big, beautiful distraction.
20
Ugh, another aggravating headline. “Trump” should be added to George Carlin’s ‘7 Dirty words you can’t say on TV’ (or in print). If only the news could be reported without mentioning that word. Our situation is dire enough and we know who’s responsible. It’s not going to change or get better, but at least the name, the brand, the word, would not be promoted. He’d hate it and we get a much needed reprieve.
7
He is doing Putin's work of destabilizing the country and spreading chaos in every way possible. We need more analysis that goes beyond reporting the latest symptom.
9
I hope he vetoes it. Then congress can override his veto and demonstrate that he does not possess dictatorial powers, that there is a Constitution, and that the representatives of the people are doing their job - a job they should have been doing already.
8
Dems wouldn't give him an override for that trash budget.
It appears Trump has totally abandoned the campaign lie of Mexico paying for the wall. Now he just wants to throw a temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way -- or $25B. Seems the "art" of the deal is holding his breath and stamping his feet until he gets his way. Ah, American greatness in full view.
7
We need to vote out Trump and vote out Congress before they completely destroy the US economy. Our children will have no future if we don't act soon. Pelosi and her two aging lieutenants can start the turnaround by stepping aside. My generation has wasted the gifts handed to us by the Greatest Generation and we need to get out of the way and let someone else lead the country. 70- and 80-year olds should not be in Congress. First tax "reform", then this spending bill. What's next? An infrastructure bill to overheat the economy and increase interest rates? A trade war that increases costs for US manufacturers? More cabinet members that are more incompetent than the ones they are replacing - it is a complete and utter "fill in the blank".
5
This President is very ill prepared. The Dow falls over 700 points and he threatens to destabilize markets further by threatening a government shutdown. Is there anyone in the Republican Party who will sit the President down and tell him to get his act together? He is very very unstable and not much of a genius.
He is destabilizing America.
8
All this means nothing to him. Outrage is mere distraction. He seeks the notoriety of infamy.
6
Mr. Trump believes that he is Emperor Donald.
And as the Magliozzi brothers often said: "Completely by-passing the thought process."
6
I strongly support President Trump's veto threat.
This is why I voted for him in the first place. A wall, end to sanctuary cities & massive cuts to legal immigration.
I have no interest increasing an already giant defense industry. It's a waste of money. I also do not want my tax dollars subsidizing planned Parenthood, which is a superpac to the party I oppose.
Thank you Mr. President, please do not let us down !
3
I don't want my tax dollars going to pay for a useless wall. Most immigrants enter the country via the airports. And anyway, he promised Mexico was going to pay. But since he lies every day, he may also be lying about his threat to veto. You can't believe a single word from him.
1
What's the problem with the wall Donald?
I thought you promised that Mexico was going to pay for it. Or is this another promise broken?
8
No wonder Trump is demanding his ridiculous and expensive wall be funded. At the rate Trump is going as president and dragging our country down in every way, that wall is going to be needed to keep Americans in, rather than Mexican's out.
If the government is shut down by Trump, does that mean he can't do any more damage until it opens again? Hmm...
44
Wasn't Mexico supposed to pay for the wall anyway?
31
we can always count on the stable genius in chief to do the absolute worst for the American people. he is very consistent in that, for sure.
33
Didn't he say Mexico would pay for the border wall? Well? What happened? Trump, I do not want one dime of my taxes going toward YOUR wall.
36
What happened? Trump supporters were lied to. Repeatedly.
15
I have a much more cost effective and politically effective solution: Get rid of Trump, Pence, and the majority of Trump's Cabinet secretaries. The spending bill is not the issue - the problem is the leadership and national priorities being advanced by a narcissist and megalomaniac pathological liar.
America, POTUS Trump is delusional, dangerous, vile, incompetent, lacking empathy, and self-dealing grifter whose allegiance is to Russian oligarchs and rulers. It is imperative the Constitutional political solution - Impeachment - be started and put POTUS Trump on the path to of removal.
Republicans, you can uphold your sworn oath to uphold and defend our nation as cited in the Constitution, or you can capitulate to a thug and irrational political leader who is nothing more than a puppet whose strings are pulled by Russia for Trump fears what Putin/Russia will disclose.
34
IF he shuts the government down, then throw in the clean language DACA proposal. We should not risk the hardworking DACA community, and no, we don't need a wall.
12
Guess what the press is NOT talking about today?
Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal, and Robert Mueller.
Distraction #129. I bet Trump signs the bill just before Stormy's 60 Minutes interview airs on Sunday night.
18
Why did you have to go ahead and tell him that this new spending bill replaced so many of his his planned cuts, and didn't fund his wall?
Donald “Spoil Sport” Trump isn’t happy unless he causes a temper tantrum right in the middle of another kid’s birthday party. He cries if he doesn’t get to blow out all of the candles, get the first piece of cake, and open all of the presents and then break them all. Why would any kid or legislator want him at their party. They know that no matter how much planning went into the event, that he won’t be happy unless he smashes it. What a cry baby!
19
He'll sign it if Fox "News" says he should.
16
Trump's tantrum was a big fat bluff, just like his Presidency. I approve what congress did to each of his projects, twisted his cuts into more subsidies. I especially approve of what congress did to Betsy DeVos. She got nothing.
8
Maybe Trump should be threatening to veto the Mexican government budget authorization, since they're the ones who are supposed to pay for the Wall?
And it takes a spectacular liar to claim Democratic abandonment of the DACA recipients when he is the one holding them hostage.
13
Increasingly unhinged, unmoored, reckless. Those who maintain this person has any idea what repercussions extend from his actions are deluded. Government shutdowns, trade wars, REAL WARS!! John Bolton, really? Time to impeach draws neigh.
11
Let me go out on a limb here and predict Trump will sign Sunday night, after complaining through the weekend, and then complain that people aren't giving him credit for singlehadedly saving the government, economy, and world. This is just his way of backing down while saving face with his base. Even he knows that if he vetoes, he owns the shutdown.
7
Ok. I stand corrected. He's more of a Paper Tiger than I thought. Congress and foreign leaders will take notice.
And the Republicans continue to embrace a lunatic wearing a suicide vest. Assuming there is a republic left in the coming years - I certainly hope the GOP is finally marginalized into irrelevance where it belongs.
13
Donald Trump, aka Cadet Bone Spurs, is a coward. Just wanted to make a little rumble before he heads down for golf and to avoid yet another massive protest in Washington.
9
Mueller,
do your duty. Now.
8
Trump will do anything to distract you from the real issues. Impose tariffs
willy-nilly, veto the budget, and the list goes on. Chaos is game plan.
people ready to speak out on guns and the NRA this weekend. So, impose tariffs on China, veto the budget and stamp your little feet. I am so exhausted with the childish man-boy president. VOTE the Republicans out in the mid-terms!
12
Trump cabinet member:"Excuse me Mr. President, but if you veto the bill, the shutdown will be blamed on you.
Trump: "You're fired"
7
Mr Trump, please veto the bill. It is another shining example of politicians spending away our children's future. We will support you to fulfill your campaign promises.
hilarious and ridiculous - this could be an over the top sitcom - its really simply the Mexicans have to pay for the wall or no wall.
2
If he shuts the government down, what better way to keep the country distracted from the Stormy Daniels story? We are all talking about Dowd and Bolton today. A shutdown story for a few days would at least keep Stormy story from being the exclusive story. Remember, he says he has great instincts.
4
Instead of weighing the spending bill, why not:
-- sign the bill,
-- weigh your rump, then
-- scoot south on the federal dime with your tail between your legs, back to your golf cart, steak dinner, and whatever else you do at that place with palm trees that you hang out at...
5
Now the wall is for "national defense?" Watch out for those Mexican panzers rolling through the borderlands to take back the lands ceded in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Alamo will be invoked next.
6
Wait a minute, wasn't Mexico supposed to pay for the wall?
5
Go ahead, shut down the government for the stupid wall. This Congress is out of control anyway. If this had been Obama's administraion the Republicans would be taking it to the wall before they would agree with this spending bill. It's a lose, lose situation for the citizens of this country. Forget about the tax cuts and pass a realistic spending bill that takes care of the real issues that affect the citizens of this country and stop the wasteful spending that the Republicans rallied against in the Obama administration.
1
Trump only wants his wall as a despicable version of the Great Wall of China that can be seen from outer space.
4
Amend the bill to include a tax on the states whose electoral college votes went to this chump and his promise of a Mexican paid for border wall.
6