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Trump threatens to close US-Mexico border over reports immigration is at 'breaking point' – live Trump threatens to close US-Mexico border over reports immigration is at 'breaking point' – live
(32 minutes later)
Walls, dikes, barriers, bluster.
The pool reporters report that the president has left Lake Okeechobee now and is “wheels up” in the Marine One helicopter on his way to Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago.
At the lakeshore just prior, apparently, around 15 people stood for several minutes around a sign that appeared to include a map of the project. The pool couldn’t hear the conversation. The group then went close to the water and looked out at the lake.
Your blogger presents the next exchange, as reported by the pool, but without comment because I have face-planted.
“Great project,” Trump told reporters.
Pool reports POTUS talked for several minutes about the project. He said Okeechobee has been a success but has had problems.
Pointing to earthen walls along the dike, he said: “I’m looking at all of the walls and I’m saying ...don’t forget our southern border.”
Linda McMahon will chair Trump’s 2020 Super PAC, Politico is reporting.
Earlier we heard that McMahon is stepping down as head of the Small Business Administration – but it seems she won’t be going far.
Instead, she’ll take up a role at “America First Action”, which will play a key role in Trump’s re-election effort. From Politico:
Trump allies have spent weeks searching for someone to chair the super PAC, which officials view as a key plank in the president’s reelection campaign. The president’s top aides believe they will need to raise around $1 billion, and say the super PAC will be a major part of the effort. Brian Walsh, America First Action’s president, declined to comment.
The president is expected to huddle with major donors on Saturday evening at Mar-a-Lago, according to two people familiar with the plans. Trump is planning to speak to reporters at 4pm. McMahon is joining the president at his private club this weekend.
Speaking after his tour of Lake Okeechobee, Trump doubled-down on closing the border over what he describes as an immigration crisis.Speaking after his tour of Lake Okeechobee, Trump doubled-down on closing the border over what he describes as an immigration crisis.
“If they don’t stop it we will keep the border closed. And we will keep it stopped for a long time. I’m not playing games,” Trump said, according to a White House pool report.“If they don’t stop it we will keep the border closed. And we will keep it stopped for a long time. I’m not playing games,” Trump said, according to a White House pool report.
In other Trump news, the president will hold a press conference at 4pm, where he will respond to reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of the Small Business Administration.In other Trump news, the president will hold a press conference at 4pm, where he will respond to reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of the Small Business Administration.
According to a White House pool report Trump will speak from Mar-a-Lago.According to a White House pool report Trump will speak from Mar-a-Lago.
Meanwhile, Democratic 2020 election hopeful Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Senator, is hitting Iowa this weekend.Meanwhile, Democratic 2020 election hopeful Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Senator, is hitting Iowa this weekend.
She just took the stage in Marshalltown “in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend”, Leigh Ann Caldwell of NBC just tweeted.She just took the stage in Marshalltown “in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend”, Leigh Ann Caldwell of NBC just tweeted.
.@ewarren takes the stage in Marshalltown Iowa in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend pic.twitter.com/K5yFKr5b9N.@ewarren takes the stage in Marshalltown Iowa in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend pic.twitter.com/K5yFKr5b9N
Lakes and pools.Lakes and pools.
As the president tours Lake Okeechobee, the Washington reporters’ pool traveling with him notes:As the president tours Lake Okeechobee, the Washington reporters’ pool traveling with him notes:
“Pool is aware of reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of Small Business Administration. We are seeking details.”“Pool is aware of reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of Small Business Administration. We are seeking details.”
Local Florida media and the rotating pool of Washington reporters that tracks the movements of the president in Washington and while he is on his travels, and sends dispatches out to the rest of the mainstream US media, has noted that Trump has arrived at Lake Okeechobee in Florida.Local Florida media and the rotating pool of Washington reporters that tracks the movements of the president in Washington and while he is on his travels, and sends dispatches out to the rest of the mainstream US media, has noted that Trump has arrived at Lake Okeechobee in Florida.
He’s visiting the Herbert Hoover Dike, the lesser-known (as in completely unknown to the general public outside of southern Florida) cousin of the Hoover Dam. The Dike is a system of levees and water control channels around the lake, but is showing its age.He’s visiting the Herbert Hoover Dike, the lesser-known (as in completely unknown to the general public outside of southern Florida) cousin of the Hoover Dam. The Dike is a system of levees and water control channels around the lake, but is showing its age.
It’s also at its lowest level since 2011, a local TV station reported, adding that the US army corps of engineers is working to repair the dike by 2022.It’s also at its lowest level since 2011, a local TV station reported, adding that the US army corps of engineers is working to repair the dike by 2022.
Supporters of the president turned out to greet him, holding signs with such messages as “Sugar cane farmers for Trump” and “Make Lake O Great Again”.Supporters of the president turned out to greet him, holding signs with such messages as “Sugar cane farmers for Trump” and “Make Lake O Great Again”.
Linda McMahon, the head of the Small Business Administration, is reportedly planning to announce as soon as Friday that she’s stepping down.Linda McMahon, the head of the Small Business Administration, is reportedly planning to announce as soon as Friday that she’s stepping down.
McMahon is expected to rejoin the private sector. Her exact plans are unclear, but one of the people said the wealthy business mogul intends to play a fundraising role for Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.McMahon is expected to rejoin the private sector. Her exact plans are unclear, but one of the people said the wealthy business mogul intends to play a fundraising role for Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.
She was expected to join the president at Mar-a-Lago, his private Florida club, this weekend, Politico reports, according to folks in the know.She was expected to join the president at Mar-a-Lago, his private Florida club, this weekend, Politico reports, according to folks in the know.
There’s no explanation from the Trump administration on this yet. She had been seen as a possible successor to commerce secretary Wilbur Ross.There’s no explanation from the Trump administration on this yet. She had been seen as a possible successor to commerce secretary Wilbur Ross.
A longtime professional wrestling executive and former Republican Senate candidate, McMahon is an original member of Trump’s Cabinet, having been confirmed for the job in February 2017. She’s also one of just five women in the president’s Cabinet, the news website points out.A longtime professional wrestling executive and former Republican Senate candidate, McMahon is an original member of Trump’s Cabinet, having been confirmed for the job in February 2017. She’s also one of just five women in the president’s Cabinet, the news website points out.
Dee Margo, the Republican mayor of El Paso, met with Customs and Border Protection commissioner Kevin McAleenan when the federal official visited the border in the city on Wednesday and declared the system there to be “at breaking point”.Dee Margo, the Republican mayor of El Paso, met with Customs and Border Protection commissioner Kevin McAleenan when the federal official visited the border in the city on Wednesday and declared the system there to be “at breaking point”.
Margo told NPR shortly after that that the idea of shutting the border in response to the current migration surge would not be helpful.Margo told NPR shortly after that that the idea of shutting the border in response to the current migration surge would not be helpful.
He put the problem down, in the big picture, to the lack of “intestinal fortitude” exhibited on either side of the aisle in Congress on immigration laws for the past three decades.He put the problem down, in the big picture, to the lack of “intestinal fortitude” exhibited on either side of the aisle in Congress on immigration laws for the past three decades.
Immediately on the ground, if the president closes the border next week, the effects will immediately be dramatic, if that’s not stating the obvious. Just in El Paso, Margo pointed out that:Immediately on the ground, if the president closes the border next week, the effects will immediately be dramatic, if that’s not stating the obvious. Just in El Paso, Margo pointed out that:
“We have a hundred billion-plus in trade back and forth in imports and exports. We have six of the 28 bridges that cross from Texas to Mexico...We have 23,000 legal pedestrians that come north every day. We’ve got 13 million vehicles that come north every year.“We have a hundred billion-plus in trade back and forth in imports and exports. We have six of the 28 bridges that cross from Texas to Mexico...We have 23,000 legal pedestrians that come north every day. We’ve got 13 million vehicles that come north every year.
“It affects us all the way around, from commerce - and the wait times on the bridges are approaching two hours, that’s an environmental issue, while cars are just sitting there idling. It’s a major problem.“It affects us all the way around, from commerce - and the wait times on the bridges are approaching two hours, that’s an environmental issue, while cars are just sitting there idling. It’s a major problem.
“But the issue is not just Mexico and whatever they’re doing. The issue is the lack of action by our Congress to deal with this.”“But the issue is not just Mexico and whatever they’re doing. The issue is the lack of action by our Congress to deal with this.”
Politicians disagree about whether there is a crisis at the border and, if there is, to what extent it is self-inflicted by America’s own dysfunctional immigration policies.Politicians disagree about whether there is a crisis at the border and, if there is, to what extent it is self-inflicted by America’s own dysfunctional immigration policies.
My colleagues Amanda Holpuch, taking to experts from her well-informed purchase in New York, and Nina Lakhani, who’s based south of the US-Mexico border and reports from Mexico City, analyze the latest and jointly write today:My colleagues Amanda Holpuch, taking to experts from her well-informed purchase in New York, and Nina Lakhani, who’s based south of the US-Mexico border and reports from Mexico City, analyze the latest and jointly write today:
US authorities’ failure to keep up with a steep increase in Central American families seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border has left El Paso aid workers, churches and city government scrambling to respond.US authorities’ failure to keep up with a steep increase in Central American families seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border has left El Paso aid workers, churches and city government scrambling to respond.
After a sudden surge in arrivals, migrants have been crowded into hotels, churches and even held under a bridge behind a chain-link fence and razor wire while their asylum claims are processed.After a sudden surge in arrivals, migrants have been crowded into hotels, churches and even held under a bridge behind a chain-link fence and razor wire while their asylum claims are processed.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, Kevin McAleenan, said the number of new arrivals in March is expected to reach 100,000, including 55,000 family members. “The immigration system is at breaking point,” he told reporters on Wednesday.The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, Kevin McAleenan, said the number of new arrivals in March is expected to reach 100,000, including 55,000 family members. “The immigration system is at breaking point,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The chaotic scenes in El Paso are the result of a regional crisis in which growing numbers of Central American families flee violence, corruption and poverty – only to come up against failed migration polices in Mexico and the US.The chaotic scenes in El Paso are the result of a regional crisis in which growing numbers of Central American families flee violence, corruption and poverty – only to come up against failed migration polices in Mexico and the US.
The exodus has only gained pace in recent months. Last year, border apprehensions dropped to historic lows, but in February CBP announced more than 76,000 people were apprehended or sought asylum at the US southern border – the highest number in a decade.The exodus has only gained pace in recent months. Last year, border apprehensions dropped to historic lows, but in February CBP announced more than 76,000 people were apprehended or sought asylum at the US southern border – the highest number in a decade.
The advocacy group DHS Watch noted that family apprehensions at the border had been steadily increasing since 2012. “Nothing is perfect, but we have seen that the Trump policies of the last two years have not only failed, they have led us to more serious problems,” Ur Jaddou, director of DHS Watch, said in a statement.The advocacy group DHS Watch noted that family apprehensions at the border had been steadily increasing since 2012. “Nothing is perfect, but we have seen that the Trump policies of the last two years have not only failed, they have led us to more serious problems,” Ur Jaddou, director of DHS Watch, said in a statement.
Authorities in US border towns have struggled to cope with the crush of families and unaccompanied minors. Because of limits on how long children can be held in detention, most families are now being released to pursue their claims in immigration courts, a process that can take years.Authorities in US border towns have struggled to cope with the crush of families and unaccompanied minors. Because of limits on how long children can be held in detention, most families are now being released to pursue their claims in immigration courts, a process that can take years.
Read their whole report here.Read their whole report here.
Comedy writer and political observer Nick Jack Pappas isn’t laughing.Comedy writer and political observer Nick Jack Pappas isn’t laughing.
He tweeted: “$558 billion in goods flow across the U.S.- Mexico border in both directions, making Mexico our third-biggest trading partner for goods. Closing the border would cost billions.”He tweeted: “$558 billion in goods flow across the U.S.- Mexico border in both directions, making Mexico our third-biggest trading partner for goods. Closing the border would cost billions.”
Pappas then continues, including a think tank quote: “If you are thinking about a total shutdown of the border, then it’s hundreds of millions of dollars A DAY -- maybe a billion.” - Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute. Our economy would stall. The U.S. would become one of Trump’s failed businesses.Pappas then continues, including a think tank quote: “If you are thinking about a total shutdown of the border, then it’s hundreds of millions of dollars A DAY -- maybe a billion.” - Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute. Our economy would stall. The U.S. would become one of Trump’s failed businesses.
The Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies demand the detention of migrants entering the US unlawfully, even if they are claiming asylum after escaping violence and crushing poverty in Central America.The Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies demand the detention of migrants entering the US unlawfully, even if they are claiming asylum after escaping violence and crushing poverty in Central America.
Most migrants are arriving from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, a region my world affairs colleague in Washington, Julian Borger, has described, politically, as “a hell the US helped create” with its foreign policy.Most migrants are arriving from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, a region my world affairs colleague in Washington, Julian Borger, has described, politically, as “a hell the US helped create” with its foreign policy.
The federal agencies on the front line, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are overwhelmed.The federal agencies on the front line, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are overwhelmed.
Hundreds of migrant families who’ve crossed the border are packed under a highway overpass on the border in El Paso, in western Texas, next to the border processing station, behind razor wire and fencing, as CBP struggles to figure out where to put them.Hundreds of migrant families who’ve crossed the border are packed under a highway overpass on the border in El Paso, in western Texas, next to the border processing station, behind razor wire and fencing, as CBP struggles to figure out where to put them.
Many are sick and, as reporter-on-the-spot Edwin Delgado reported for the Guardian on Wednesday, exhausted as the mostly parents and children wait to find out their next step.Many are sick and, as reporter-on-the-spot Edwin Delgado reported for the Guardian on Wednesday, exhausted as the mostly parents and children wait to find out their next step.
He wasn’t allowed by the authorities to talk to the folks, but witnessed the latest scenes unfolding as Washington policy aims and their manifestation on the ground create chaos.He wasn’t allowed by the authorities to talk to the folks, but witnessed the latest scenes unfolding as Washington policy aims and their manifestation on the ground create chaos.
Images emerged on Wednesday of hundreds of families packed into a grim open air space beneath an underpass, behind razor wire and fencing, their faces – some weary and bewildered, some hopeful – turned toward America.Images emerged on Wednesday of hundreds of families packed into a grim open air space beneath an underpass, behind razor wire and fencing, their faces – some weary and bewildered, some hopeful – turned toward America.
They were migrants trying to make their way to the United States from Central America and found themselves being held at the US-Mexico border in a parking lot of a border patrol station at the international crossing point in El Paso, in western Texas.They were migrants trying to make their way to the United States from Central America and found themselves being held at the US-Mexico border in a parking lot of a border patrol station at the international crossing point in El Paso, in western Texas.
Nearby, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, Kevin McAleenan, declared an “operational crisis” because of a recent surge in the number of people arriving at the border, many hoping to seek asylum, and either crossing into the US unlawfully or waiting in gathering numbers on the Mexican side to be processed.Nearby, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, Kevin McAleenan, declared an “operational crisis” because of a recent surge in the number of people arriving at the border, many hoping to seek asylum, and either crossing into the US unlawfully or waiting in gathering numbers on the Mexican side to be processed.
He said the immigration system on the southern border was at “breaking point” and called on Congress to bring solutions.He said the immigration system on the southern border was at “breaking point” and called on Congress to bring solutions.
In a three-stage Twitter blast, Donald Trump has just excoriated the Democrats and Congress over US immigration laws and legislative reforms of same, hammered Mexico, and threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week.In a three-stage Twitter blast, Donald Trump has just excoriated the Democrats and Congress over US immigration laws and legislative reforms of same, hammered Mexico, and threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week.
The president tweeted that “the Democrats have given us the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the world.”The president tweeted that “the Democrats have given us the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the world.”
He then continued: “If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING.....He then continued: “If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING.....
....through their country and our Southern Border. Mexico has for many years made a fortune off of the U.S., far greater than Border Costs. If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING.........through their country and our Southern Border. Mexico has for many years made a fortune off of the U.S., far greater than Border Costs. If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING.....
....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week.....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week.
....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and “talk.” Besides, we lose so much money with them, especially when you add in drug trafficking etc.), that the Border closing would be a good thing!....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and “talk.” Besides, we lose so much money with them, especially when you add in drug trafficking etc.), that the Border closing would be a good thing!
Breaking News: Trump is threatening to close the border with Mexico next week, over reports from his agencies that the immigration system there is “at breaking point” following a surge of migrants being detained after crossing unlawfully, especially in Texas, in recent weeks.Breaking News: Trump is threatening to close the border with Mexico next week, over reports from his agencies that the immigration system there is “at breaking point” following a surge of migrants being detained after crossing unlawfully, especially in Texas, in recent weeks.
Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the US border with Mexico next week, or at least large sections of the frontier, if Mexico “doesn’t immediately stop all illegal immigration coming into the United States” from the region, Reuters reported moments ago.Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the US border with Mexico next week, or at least large sections of the frontier, if Mexico “doesn’t immediately stop all illegal immigration coming into the United States” from the region, Reuters reported moments ago.