Trump Backs Off Border Wall Funding [VIDEO]

Reuters reports:

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated an openness on Monday to delaying his push to secure funds for his promised border wall with Mexico, potentially eliminating a sticking point as lawmakers worked to avoid a looming shutdown of the federal government.

Trump, in a private meeting with conservative media outlets, said he may wait until Republicans begin drafting the budget blueprint for the fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1 to seek government funds for building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the White House confirmed.

Trump, whose approval ratings have slid since he took office, is facing a Friday deadline for Congress to pass a spending bill funding the government through September or risk marking his 100th day in office on Saturday with a government shutdown. “Now the bipartisan and bicameral negotiators can continue working on the outstanding issues,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement on Monday night.

WATCH: President Trump backing down on the border wall? Says he’d put off funding to avoid a shutdown: https://t.co/Qacj3yy27y – @jonkarl pic.twitter.com/AkkcxfYU44

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 25, 2017

Good for the US that @POTUS is taking the wall off the table in negotiations. Now negotiators can continue working on outstanding issues.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 25, 2017