''The White House said the letter, as well as details provided during the meeting, sought to answer Democrats' questions about the funding request. Vought writes that a ``physical barrier _ wall _ creates an enduring capability that helps field personnel stop, slow down and/or contain illegal entries. ''Trump sought to frame a steel barrier as progress as he returned from the presidential retreat in Maryland, saying Democrats ``don't like concrete, so we'll give them steel.'' While insisting he wanted to make a deal, he also declared he would not give an inch in his fight for funding for a border barrier, saying: ``There's not going to be any bend right here. ''Trump reaffirmed that he would consider declaring a national emergency to circumvent Congress and spend money as he saw fit.

Source: Economic Times January 07, 2019 01:52 UTC