BORDER/DEMS/GOVERNMENT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WALL: “President Donald Trump said he is nearing a decision to declare a national emergency on the southern border, which he visited in person Thursday [1-10-19] despite earlier reservations about taking the trip. The President warned as he departed the White House he would take the step — which would be subject to immediate legal challenge — if talks with Democrats continue to crumble. Trump stormed out of a meeting with Democratic leaders a day earlier, insisting they weren’t ready to deal. The standoff has prompted a partial government shutdown that has now stretched 20 days. Many federal workers will miss their first paychecks on Friday [1-11-19]…Inching closer to using executive authority allowing him to repurpose federal funds for a border wall without congressional approval, Trump said his lawyers have advised him he’s within his rights to take the step. And he suggested there are alternate methods of securing funds outside of new legislation.”
–Kevin Liptak, Betsy Klein, Kaitlan Collins and Boris Sanchez, “Trump threatens he will declare national emergency if shutdown talks crumble,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, January 10, 2019 4:56 am