President Trump has been holding the government hostage for the past 27 days for absolutely no reason. The president is attempting to follow through on an empty campaign promise on building Trump’s “wall” (or is it a fence?) between the United States and Mexico.

After Democrats refused to pay the $6 billion for the wall, Sen. Mitch McConnell told the media that Trump would be flexible with the funding on Dec. 18. However, Trump decided to remain steadfast on his decision, shutting the government down four days later.

This proposed border wall won’t help anything. Even Fox News said that no terrorists have come over America’s southern border. Illegal immigration is not increasing, but Trump built his campaign on fear of the illegal alien. Even if the wall was built, we have no idea what we’re paying for. The president has fluctuated on the size, width, length, materials and design.

During a meeting with the president on Dec. 11, Sen. Chuck Schumer told Trump not to shut down the government over a wall-funding dispute. Trump said he would be proud to shut down the government, but he isn’t thinking about anybody but himself. Thousands of government workers are furloughed without pay. Thousands of people are without food stamps or any other government funded programs. Some people might be fine with the shut down, even proud of our president. But when the season for tax cuts rolls around, border security will have to take a backseat. People care more about paying their bills than an unperceived threat hundreds of miles away.

This shutdown is the longest in history for no reason; we don’t need a wall. The Democrats and Republicans against the construction need to remain steadfast in their beliefs. Schumer and Pelosi need to keep pushing against him; if we give in to this demand, it will never stop.