President Trump stated during a Friday press conference that he does not need Congress in order to build the wall. Trump stated that he could declare a national emergency in order to circumvent Congress to get the wall built.

According to The Daily Mail:

Donald Trump told Congressional leaders Friday that he will shut down the government for ‘months or years’ if he does not get money for his Mexican wall – and said he was ‘proud’ to do ‘the right thing.’

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Trump described his wall as a vital security measure, and in a free-wheeling performance claimed that illegal immigrants were being driven across it away from ports of entries, in some cases with their mouths taped over.

The president also disclosed that he had considered declaring a national emergency to build the wall without legislative approval and said: ‘I still might.’ 

‘We can call a national emergency because of the security of our country. I haven’t done it. I may do it,’ he said.

Trump also hinted that he is hopeful a deal will be done and the government will reopen in the near future.