Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer says that President Trump threatened to keep the government closed for “months or even years,” or as long as it takes to get funding for his proposed border wall that he promised to get Mexico to pay for.

Trump “said he’d keep the government closed for a very long period of time — months or even years,” Schumer told reporters after a two-hour meeting with the president on Friday.

Chuck Schumer: "We told the President we needed the government open. He resisted. In fact, he said he'd keep the government closed for a very long period of time – months or even years." https://t.co/AsIFd8BLNp pic.twitter.com/agshu1DCb8

— The Hill (@thehill) January 4, 2019

The President confirmed Schumer’s remarks during an afternoon appearance in the Rose Garden.

“I did say that, absolutely I said that,” Trump told reporters when asked to confirm if he threatened to keep the federal government closed for years. “I don’t think it will but I am prepared and I think that I can speak for Republicans in the House and Republicans in the Senate they feel very strongly about having a safe country”

Pres. Trump confirms he told Sen. Chuck Schumer during their meeting over the shutdown that it could extend for "months or even years."

"I did, I did. I did say that, absolutely I said that. I don't think it will, but I am prepared." https://t.co/CXq8iedbdM pic.twitter.com/Bdc9y8jNtq

— ABC News (@ABC) January 4, 2019

“We had a very, very productive meeting and I think we’ve come a long way,” Trump added, adding later: “We’re all on the same path in terms of wanting to get government open.”

Asked if he’s still proud of owning the shutdown, Trump said, “I’m very proud of what I’m doing. I don’t call it a shutdown. I call it doing what you have to do.”