WASHINGTON - As the partial U.S. government shutdown neared the end of its 19th day, President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were still divided over his demands for funding a U.S.-Mexico border wall, with a prompt resolution looking unlikely.
Trump walked out of negotiations with Democrats on Wednesday, according to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
The following are some possible scenarios for how the impasse might play out, with Trump's request for $5.7 billion in taxpayer funds for his wall firmly opposed by congressional Democrats:
As ordinary Americans begin to feel the impact of the closure of about a quarter of the government, both sides could feel the heat from voters and move to do a deal, perhaps focused on these factors.
Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency, saying that illegal immigration jeopardizes U.S. security and empowers him to redirect existing federal funds to build his wall, perhaps by tapping Defense Department accounts. Under the Constitution, Congress holds the power to make decisions about spending U.S. taxpayers' money.
Trump did not mention that option in a televised address on Tuesday about what he calls a border "crisis." Such a step by Trump would escalate what is now a policy dispute into a fight over presidential powers. Democrats would almost certainly move to block Trump, likely kicking off a protracted court battle.
Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have vowed they will not give Trump any money to build a wall. But as the shutdown grinds on, they could have second thoughts, although that seems unlikely given the political climate.
Democrats won a majority in the House of Representatives by a landslide in November's elections. Trump's approval rating continues to hover at around 40 percent. There is plenty of skepticism among voters about the need for a wall, polls show.
In addition, a growing proportion of Americans now blame Trump for the shutdown even as Republicans mostly are supportive, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
Trump, whose main responsibility as president is to make sure the federal government carries out its duties, could find the shutdown too politically hazardous.
Closed national parks and museums is one thing. But U.S. airport security workers and air traffic controllers working without pay have been warning that security and safety could be compromised if the government shutdown continues. Union officials said some TSA officers had already quit.
Trump has promised for years to build his wall - initially saying Mexico would pay for it - and has repeatedly attacked Democrats for standing in his way. But he may find the shutdown unsustainable, fold and endorse Democrats' shutdown-ending bills while finding a way to claim victory.
Democrats on Wednesday began advancing agency-by-agency funding bills in the House that would then go to the Senate.
Republicans there would then have to decide whether to approve the bills or block them in the name of Trump's wall project.
Blocking a bill to fund the Treasury Department, for example, might delay Americans' tax refunds.
So far, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not indicated any interest in staging votes on those bills.