NEW TIME: 4:00 P.M. EST
by Sharon Rondeau
On Friday evening, Trump tweeted that he would be speaking about the “humanitarian crisis” at the nation’s southern border and the partial government shutdown, now in its 29th day, resulting from an impasse between Congress and the White House over funding for the border wall or barrier Trump wishes to build.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has said she will appropriate no money for a border wall because it is “immoral.” According to a White House video release on Friday, some Democrats have told Trump that they agree with the idea of building a barrier along the southern border.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is also opposed to a wall and has united with Pelosi against Trump’s demand that $5.7 billion be included in any appropriations bill aimed at fully reopening the government. Last March, Trump vowed not to sign any new appropriations bill which did not contain significant funds for a border wall, a key promise of his 2016 presidential campaign.
Negotiations appeared to have broken down between House and Senate Democrats and Republicans until a bipartisan group of 20 Senators last week began discussing a compromise plan to reopen shuttered government agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Earlier on Saturday, Trump referred to the Border Patrol as providing a bulwark against illegal-alien entry on the southern border and disparaged Mexico’s apparent lack of effort in stopping a new “caravan” of Central-American “migrants” traveling to the United States.
According to Fox News on Thursday, the newest caravan consists of approximately 1,700 travelers, with the majority being young men. Another caravan had formed in El Salvador and was headed north, the report added.
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Update, 3:25 p.m. EST: At approximately 3:06 p.m., the White House Twitter account issued the following:
The Post & Email has not confirmed whether the tweet refers to a naturalization ceremony or another event.
Update, 3:40 p.m.: Trump was in attendance at a naturalization ceremony in the Oval Office officiated by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for five new American citizens.
After Nielsen finished stating the oath of allegiance, which the new citizens repeated, she introduced Trump, who congratulated them while reading from a statement.
