Trump told Congress the shutdown could last years. He now considers declaring a national emergency to build the wall.

The Wall Street Journal reports Trump Considers Declaring National Emergency to Build Border Wall.

President Trump said he was considering declaring a national emergency to build a southern border wall if Congress doesn’t fund it, following a Friday meeting with congressional leaders that both Mr. Trump and Democratic lawmakers described as contentious.

Mr. Trump said he hoped the shutdown “doesn’t go on even beyond a few more days,” but also said he told congressional leaders that the shutdown could last for months or even years if Democrats don’t agree to fund the border wall.

Later in his remarks, the president floated the idea of bypassing Congress. “We can call a national emergency because of the security of our country,” he said, adding: “I may do it.” But he said he preferred to negotiate with lawmakers to obtain funding.

A spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee called the move “legally dubious” and said it would “invite a legal challenge from Congress.”

Wall Without Funding

Curiously, a wall without funding was the top vote-getter in my January 1 poll.

What's the Wall Resolution?https://t.co/QVKyDDPHMF

1. Democrats agree to wall funding enough to satisfy Trump

2. Senate caves passing something that Trump caves in and signs

3. Senate caves, Trump doesn't sign, Congress overrides veto

4. Trump builds the wall without funding

— Mike Mish Shedlock (@MishGEA) January 1, 2019

Rest assured this won't go years. At some point Congress would override a Trump veto.