WASHINGTON (AP) — The government shutdown has begun. So has the finger-pointing.

President Donald Trump says Democrats wanted to give him "a nice present" to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration.

He says Democrats "could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead."

In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president is trying to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans in the November elections "in order to power through this mess."

It's a striking display of Washington's dysfunction as the shutdown halts all but the most essential operations.

Congress has scheduled an unusual Saturday session to begin considering a three-week version of the short-term spending measure — and to let the public know they're at work as the shutdown starts.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is giving President Donald Trump an F for "failure in leadership" on the anniversary of his inauguration.

Pelosi also slammed congressional Republicans on Saturday as the government shutdown began.

In a speech on the House floor, Pelosi said Republicans who control the White House and hold majorities in the House and Senate are "so incompetent and negligent that they couldn't get it together to keep the government open."

Pelosi urged Republicans to "get down to business for everyday people in America."

She says Trump has tweeted that the country "needs a good shutdown." She says: "Your wish has come true for your one-year anniversary."

Republicans have blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

More From KGAB