Donald Trump addresses reporters, White House Rose Garden, January 4, 2019

I joined CNN International’s Natalie Allen on Sunday to explain why Donald Trump, having said he would be “proud” to shut down the Federal Government, is pointing to a closure of “months or even years” as he insists on $5.7 billion for his Wall with Mexico.

The discussion begins with a sharp dismissal of any attempt to say “both sides” are responsible for a stoppage that has put almost 800,000 employees on furlough or into unpaid work, threatened a halt to food stamps for millions of Americans, held up tax refunds for others, and closed services — all while doing nothing for border security.

This is not a “two sides” issue. This is a “one side” issue.

What you have seen in the last 48 hours is Donald Trump threatening to declare a state of national emergency, not the Democrats. It is Donald Trump who is saying private land can be seized along the border by the military, not the Democrats. It is Donald Trump who has said that this could last months or years, not the Democrats.

And it is Vice President Mike Pence, [Acting White House Chief of Staff] Mick Mulvaney, and Jared Kushner who are taking a harder line, not the Democrats.