Trump shrugs off impending shutdown as parties deadlocked

President Donald Trump on Friday shrugged off the threat of the first US government shutdown in nearly seven years and moved to cast the blame for any disruption on Democrats.

“These people are crazy, the Democrats, so if it has to shut down, it’ll have to shut down,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House. “But they’re the ones that are shutting down.”

The president’s comments came four days before government funding lapses and reflect a confidence among Republican leaders that they have the upper hand in the shutdown fight.

Republicans, who control power in Washington, refuse to use a must-pass funding bill to address Democrats’ health-care priorities. GOP congressional leaders say they’re looking for a way to give just enough Democrats an off-ramp.

Senate Majority Leader Jo