WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump addressed the looming threat of a government shutdown, placing full responsibility on Democrats for what he described as reckless and dangerous demands.

“We’ll probably have a shutdown because one of the things [Democrats] want to do is they want to give incredible Medicare… to illegal immigrants,” Trump said. “And what that does is it keeps them coming into our country… We can’t let that happen.”

The president made it clear that his administration is not seeking a shutdown but rather working to keep the government open during what he called “the greatest period of time ever” for America.

“THEY are shutting it down. We’re not shutting it down,” Trump emphasized. “We don’t want it to shut down… the last people that wants it shut down is us.”

Republicans argue that the Democrat-backed proposal would put illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens, straining Medicare and other public resources. Trump’s remarks highlight the growing standoff in Washington as negotiations intensify.