House Republicans' summer break starts with a bang, Trump's shutdown threat

You deserve this, Paul. You really do.

House Republicans start their August "work period" this week under a big threat, thanks to the weekend tweet spray from their leader, Russian asset Donald Trump. His latest "I would be willing to 'shut down' government" over the border wall missive has got to be causing some heartburn.

Just last Wednesday House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sat down with Trump with their plan to avoid a government shutdown over wall funding in a temporary spending bill known as a continuing resolution. Trump "seemed receptive, according to lawmakers and aides briefed on the meeting." He also, apparently, made it clear that he expects a "$5 billion down payment on his wall this year," but would be willing to wait until after the midterm elections to get it. 

On Sunday, after the shutdown tweet, a top Republican downplayed the threat. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) assured Martha Raddatz on ABC’s This Week "I don’t think we’re going to shut down the government ... You know, I think we’re going to make sure we keep the government open, but we’re going to get better policies on immigration." That’s what he thought.

Because here comes Monday morning’s tirade.

We must have Border Security, get rid of Chain, Lottery, Catch & Release Sanctuary Cities - go to Merit based Immigration. Protect ICE and Law Enforcement and, of course, keep building, but much faster, THE WALL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2018

That doesn't sound like someone who is, in Ryan’s words, "willing to be patient" on his wall. The upside? Ryan’s summer break is pretty much ruined.