Trump warns of government shutdown threat ahead of meeting with lawmakers

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan (L) and Defense Secretary James Mattis (R), speaks to reporters before he holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S. December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday again raised the possibility of a U.S. government shutdown by week's end - blaming Democrats for that possible outcome - one day before he is due to host Republican and Democratic congressional leaders for talks on a spending bill.

Trump and Congress are facing a deadline of Friday at midnight to pass a fresh spending bill. If they cannot agree on the terms, parts of the federal government could shut down.