Without a wall our country can never have national security, says Trump as government shutdown enters second month
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Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
As the US government shutdown entered its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics".
President Trump has been overseeing the partial shutdown of key US government departments which began on December 22nd over funding for a wall to block illegal immigration at the border with Mexico.
"Without a wall our country can never have border or national security. With a powerful wall or steel barrier, crime rates (and drugs) will go substantially down all over the US," the president said, adding,"The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly."
Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to build the Mexican border wall, however, the Democrats haven't agreed to the deal instead have agreed to just over $1 billion deal which includes several border security measures.
A number of departments have been hit as a result of the shutdown including the crucial homeland security, transport and the State Department.
The president has stood firm in the past month demanding the full amount from the Democrats leading to a standoff, in a tweet Trump said: "If we create a wall or barrier which prevents criminals and drugs from flowing into our Country, crime will go down by record numbers!"
Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
About 800,000 workers have been furloughed or working without pay even as several national parks, museums and some airport security checkpoints have been closed.
In a tweet on Monday, Admiral Karl Schultz said: "Our USCG members sail across the world to protect US national interests while their loved ones cope with financial challenges & no pay at home."
Today, the 418-foot @USCG Cutter Bertholf departed for a multi-month deployment in support of a @DeptofDefense Combatant Commander. Our #USCG members sail across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones cope w/ financial challenges & no pay at home. pic.twitter.com/GtSo1GTUnp
— Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) January 21, 2019
As the logjam continued, The New York Times reported that Democrats had added more than $1 billion to their previous offer of $1.3 billion for new border security, even if that is still far short of Trump's $5.7 billion figure.