President Trump says building the $5 billion border wall will save the U.S. billions.
The president, however, warned Monday that even absent Democratic votes in Congress to fund the construction of a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, he’s willing to close the border to stop illegal immigration from the south.
“We would save Billions of Dollars if the Democrats would give us the votes to build the Wall,” Trump tweeted. “Either way, people will NOT be allowed into our Country illegally! We will close the entire Southern Border if necessary. Also, STOP THE DRUGS!”
[Related: Deadlock in border wall fight as government shutdown looms]
We would save Billions of Dollars if the Democrats would give us the votes to build the Wall. Either way, people will NOT be allowed into our Country illegally! We will close the entire Southern Border if necessary. Also, STOP THE DRUGS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018
Since his 2016 campaign, Trump has promised a southern border wall to block illegal immigration and importation of illegal drugs from Mexico and Central American countries.
Congressional Democrats, in the minority in both chambers, have opposed border wall funding — and will have considerably more leverage when they assume the House majority in early January.
“People look at the border, they look at the rush to the police, they look at the rock-throwers and really hurting three people, three very brave border patrol folks,” Trump said last week. “I think that it’s a tremendous issue, but much more importantly, is really needed. So we have to have border security.”
“I am firm” on the demand for border funding, Trump added, saying the $5 billion would solely be used for the construction of a physical wall and that more would be needed for border security in general.
