With the partial government shutdown expected to extend into 2019, President Trump is using the tested immigration strategy that helped propel him to the White House in 2016 but that fell short during the November elections.
Trump has kept a steady drumbeat for wall funding over the six days that roughly 25 percent of the federal government has been shut down, warning that the wall is needed to stem the flow of drugs into the country and to combat human trafficking and criminal activity.
But negotiations over a deal to fund major federal agencies stalled, as Democratic leaders have rebuffed Trump’s demand for $5 billion for construction of the wall and indicated they have no intention of budging.
The Senate and House on Thursday afternoon adjourned until next week without reaching a compromise to end the shutdown, ensuring it will continue into the new year.
Trump, however, has taken to Twitter to hammer Democrats for what he says is “obstruction” of the “desperately needed wall.”
“Have the Democrats finally realized that we desperately need Border Security and a Wall on the Southern Border. Need to stop Drugs, Human Trafficking, Gang Members & Criminals from coming into our Country,” Trump tweeted Thursday morning.
The White House has stressed that the president will not sign a measure that doesn’t include funding for border security. In a statement Thursday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders accused Democrats of “openly choosing to keep our government closed to protect illegal immigrants rather than the American people.
“The president has made clear that any bill to fund the government must adequately fund border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs, criminals, MS-13 gang members, child smugglers and human traffickers into our communities — and protect the American people,” Sanders said.
With his tweets and remarks to reporters throughout the shutdown, Trump appears to be turning to a familiar playbook: sounding the alarm on the dangers of illegal immigration.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, then-candidate Trump vowed to build a wall along the southern border, one that Mexico would pay for, and in a June 2015 speech announcing his candidacy, Trump claimed Mexico was sending “rapists” and criminals to the U.S. and promised to stop it.
The focus on immigration proved to be successful for Trump during the presidential campaign, and he implemented the same strategy of stoking fears over illegal immigration during the November midterm elections.
While campaigning for Republican candidates in the run-up to the midterms, Trump seized upon a caravan of migrants traveling from Honduras to the U.S. border with Mexico, characterizing it as an “invasion” and accusing Democrats of “encouraging millions of illegal immigrants” to “overwhelm” the country.
Some believe the strategy backfired. Republicans lost 40 seats to Democrats in the House but maintained control of the Senate, picking up two seats.
With the House and Senate adjourned until next week, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the shutdown will continue into the start of the new Congress, when Democrats take control of the House.
That could make it more difficult for Trump to secure the $5 billion he wants for the wall.
During a surprise trip to visit U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday, Trump was asked how long he believes the shutdown will last. “Whatever it takes,” he said. “We need a wall. We need safety for our country.”
