Trump reignites feud with Corker amid shutdown standoff

President Trump on Sunday reignited his feud with Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) amid a political standoff that has resulted in a partial governmental shutdown. 

After Corker on CNN’s “State of the Union” blamed the shutdown on Trump earlier in the day, the president took to Twitter to claim that Corker is retiring this year because his poll numbers “tanked” when Trump declined to endorse him. 

{mosads}”Senator Bob Corker just stated that, ‘I’m so priveledged [sic] to serve in the Senate for twelve years, and that’s what I told the people of our state that’s what I’d do, serve for two terms,’ ” Trump tweeted. “But that is Not True – wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn’t endorse him.”

“Bob Corker was responsible for giving us the horrible Iran Nuclear Deal, which I ended, yet he badmouths me for wanting to bring our young people safely back home,” Trump continued. “Bob wanted to run and asked for my endorsement. I said NO and the game was over. #MAGA I LOVE TENNESSEE!” 

Senator Bob Corker just stated that, “I’m so priveledged to serve in the Senate for twelve years, and that’s what I told the people of our state that’s what I’d do, serve for two terms.” But that is Not True – wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn’t endorse him…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2018

…..Bob Corker was responsible for giving us the horrible Iran Nuclear Deal, which I ended, yet he badmouths me for wanting to bring our young people safely back home. Bob wanted to run and asked for my endorsement. I said NO and the game was over. #MAGA I LOVE TENNESSEE!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2018

Corker shot back in a tweet, “Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall… #AlertTheDaycareStaff,” implying that Trump was being untruthful. 

Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall… #AlertTheDaycareStaff https://t.co/4LwrkrSFFr

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 23, 2018

Corker had argued that if Trump was motivated primarily by border security instead of politics, he would have accepted the deal that Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) offered him in January.

Schumer at the time offered $25 billion for border security in exchange for the reauthorization of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Trump and Corker have publicly feuded before, with the president slamming him over the same topics: retiring and Corker’s support for the Iran nuclear deal. Corker’s office said last year that Trump had offered his support if Corker ran again.

Corker announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection to the Senate once his term ends in 2018.

The Tennessee Republican has previously criticized the president’s methods and policies, accusing Trump of running the country like “a reality show.” 

Corker on Sunday said the standoff over a border wall that has partially shut down the government is a “made-up fight,” claiming Trump is more interested in winning politically than securing the country.

“This is a purposely contrived fight,” Corker said. “At the end of the day, no matter who wins our borders are still going to be insecure.”

Trump has asked Congress to spend $5 billion on a border wall while Democrats have only offered $1.3 billion for border fencing.

The partial government shutdown is expected to last through Christmas and may extend into the new year.