Article snippet: MORE met at the White House on Tuesday, ostensibly to resolve a government funding impasse. It turned out to be much more than that. The leaders pointed fingers at each other, raised their voices and assigned blame over a possible shutdown, offering an ugly first glimpse of what divided government in Washington might look like next year. The meeting began as Oval Office photo opportunities typically do, with the leaders posing for the cameras while sitting in front of a fireplace on upholstered chairs and sofas. Trump offered some introductory remarks that alluded to the possibility of a bipartisan compromise that might keep the government open. But the discussion quickly descended into chaos once Trump brought up the elephant in the room: the border wall. Trump allowed reporters and television cameras to remain as he delivered a roughly 4½ minute monologue arguing for border wall funding, making several questionable claims about the progress of construction and raising the prospect of a partial shutdown if he does not get his funding request. The unpredictable move appeared to fluster the Democratic leaders, who went into the meeting expecting it to be closed to the media. “We are here to have a conversation,” a seemingly exasperated Pelosi (Calif.), the House Democratic leader, said while gesturing to the cameras. “So I don’t think we should have a debate in front of the press on this.” Vice President Pence sat at Trump’s side, staying silent as if he wanted no... Link to the full article to read more