Trump casts doubt on reaching immigration deal by Feb. 8

President Donald Trump says “nobody knows” whether Republicans and Democrats can reach an immigration deal by a new Feb. 8 deadline.

He says Democrats learned that shutting down the government won’t work.

Trump tweeted Tuesday: “Nobody knows for sure that the Republicans & Democrats will be able to reach a deal on DACA by February 8, but everyone will be trying….with a big additional focus put on Military Strength and Border Security. The Dems have just learned that a Shutdown is not the answer!”

Insistence by Senate Democrats on protections for young immigrants living in the country illegally led to a shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s pledge to take up immigration proposals cleared the way for a temporary spending bill funding the government through Feb. 8.