Trump warns of government shutdown next month over border security

PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Thursday there could be a government shutdown next month over security on the border with Mexico, suggesting he could hold up a funding deal if no more money is provided for a wall between the two countries.

“Could there be a shut down? There certainly could and it will be about border security, of which the wall is a part,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida.

The U.S. Congress faces a deadline next month to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for Trump’s proposed border wall.

Having won control of the House in midterm elections, Democrats have said they will be even less motivated than before to meet Trump’s wall demands.

Trump also said he had given the military the authorization to use lethal force if necessary on the border with Mexico.

“If they have to they are going to use lethal force. I’ve given the OK – I hope they don’t have to.”

Trump also warned that the United States could close the whole border with Mexico for a period of time “if we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control or our people are going to start getting hurt.”

This would mean “Mexico will not be able to sell their cars into the United States,” added Trump, who has complained about the number of cars U.S. manufacturers produce in Mexico.

Vehicle exports from Mexico to the United States in 2017 totaled 2.3 million units.

Later on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he had been in close contact with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray.

“We have affirmed our shared commitment to addressing the current challenge. The caravans will not be permitted to enter the United States,” he said in a State Department statement.

Ahead of U.S. congressional elections earlier this month, Trump denounced the approach of a caravan of migrants as an “invasion” that threatened American national security, and he sent thousands of U.S. troops to the border to help secure it.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday that he had been granted authority to allow troops on the Mexican border greater powers to help protect border officials, and would await direction from the Department of Homeland Security.

Mattis said troops could help protect the border agents with shields and batons, but would be unarmed.

Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters this week a memo signed by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly gave Mattis the authority to protect immigration agents and if necessary, could include actions like use of lethal force, crowd control, temporary detention and cursory searches.

Trump has issued ultimatums about wall funding before, with little impact, even with his own Republican Party in majority control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

If the two parties cannot reach a funding deal, there would be a partial government shutdown, with so-called “essential services,” including some at the Department of Homeland Security, likely remaining in operation.