PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: President Donald Trump lands in Yuma for brief visit

Tamir Kalifa
Tamir Kalifa
Author

25 August, 2017

At a raucous campaign rally in Arizona, President Donald Trump demanded that Congress fund his request for money to build a wall along the border with Mexico, saying that if lawmakers won't go along with his plan, then it could mean a federal government shutdown showdown with Congress this fall, as Mr. Trump argued that it's imperative for lawmakers to further tighten border controls. Now, there are 63 miles of fence, and illegal border crossings are down more than 80 percent, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The White House said in Yuma specifically, illegal border crossings have plummeted 82% since 2007. Another official spoke to the multifaceted success of the wall, and said that it is not just the physical infrastructure of a wall that has the most impact.

Crowds of protesters along with the president's supporters gathered in the city despite the sweltering heat. And that's the result of the leadership that President Trump has been providing. Instead they chose to send out an email condemning the president's "empty promises" to build a wall along the Mexican border and make them pay for it.

Having failed in that bid, he has turned to equally reticent Republicans in Congress to get USA funding.

If Congress does not reach a funding deal that the president signs into law by a September 30 deadline, the government will shut down. But it's not clear this is as high a priority for Republicans in Congress as it is for the president. According to Department of Homeland Security statistics, from January 1 to July 31, 2017, the Border Patrol apprehended 126,472 individuals attempting to illegally enter the U.S.at the border.

The proposed border wall, aimed at preventing illegal immigration to the United States, was one of Trump's major 2016 campaign promises.

Trump also defended his Charlottesville remarks that were widely condemned internationally and by the Republicans. But, previewing the president's speech, Pence indicated there will be more focus on his agenda in Congress than a more traditional Trump campaign speech.

Ward planned to attend Trump's rally, sparking talk that the president could take the politically extraordinary step of endorsing her from the stage over an incumbent Republican senator.

In a more than hourlong speech, Trump reread the multiple statements he issued after the racially charged clashes on August 12 as those at the Phoenix Convention Center booed news reporters and photographers.


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