President Trump
Addresses the Nation
on Border Security Almost three
weeks into a partial
government shutdown, Trump called
for $5.7 billion to
fund the barrier. He reiterated his stance
that it would curb the
flow of illegal drugs
into the US, adding it was
necessary to "end" what
he referred to as "a
cycle of human suffering." Trump said it would be "paid
for indirectly by the
great new trade deal" his administration has
made with Mexico. He blamed the shutdown on
"one reason only": "because Democrats
will not fund border security." The president concluded
his speech by calling
on “every citizen” to “call Congress”
and tell them to
"secure our border."