President Trump received a warm welcome in at least one section of LA today, a day after backing off his latest threat to close the border between Mexico and the United States.
After inspecting the 30-foot ‘bollard wall’ at the Calexico-Mexicali border, Trump flew on to Los Angeles for a private fundraising event and had dinner with his son Eric at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf course.
Footage of the event taken as he arrived captured the hearty applause and cheers for the president, who shook the hands of enthusiastic attendees.
While guests at the dinner were seemingly overjoyed to meet him, not everyone in LA was glad of his arrival. Protesters were seen in the area holding signs slamming the president.
President Trump received a warm welcome in LA today, a day after backing off his latest threat to close the border between Mexico and the United States. Footage of the event taken as he arrived captured the hearty applause and cheers for the president, who shook the hands of enthusiastic attendees
There had been some speculation Trump would use the visit to announce a partial closure of the border, having been making threats to that end this week, however the flying visit proved to be less eventful than some commentators predicted.
Earlier today, Air Force One touched down in Calexico, not far from Mexico, as California and 19 other states that are suing Trump over his declaration requested a court order to stop money from being diverted to fund the project.
But Trump, who has placed hard-line immigration policy at the heart of his administration, declared that his move, which included vetoing a congressional vote and some opposition from his own party, was necessary.
‘There is indeed an emergency on our southern border,’ Trump said at a border security briefing, adding that there has been a sharp uptick in illegal crossings.
‘It’s a colossal surge, and it’s overwhelming our immigration system. We can’t take you anymore.’
There had been some speculation Trump would use the visit to announce a partial closure of the border, having been making threats to that end this week, however the flying visit proved to be less eventful than some commentators predicted
The Rancho Palos Verdes golf course in LA, owned by Trump
Although the wall – his signature campaign promise – remains unbuilt, Trump declared that at least 400 miles of the border barrier would be erected over the next two years even as he tried to blame Democrats for a lack of progress on the wall.
‘The crisis is a direct result of the obstruction by Democrats,’ the president claimed.
Protesters had their moment in the hours before Trump arrived, flying a giant balloon in the shape of a diapered ‘baby Trump’ in a nearby section of border. The ballooners never crossed paths with the president or his entourage.
Trump also denied that he changed his mind about shutting down the border with Mexico, a threat he backed off on Thursday. Trump said he reversed course because he saw Mexico get tougher in stopping an influx of immigrants from moving north.
‘Mexico has been absolutely terrific for the last four days,’ the president said as he left the White House. ‘I never changed my mind at all. I may shut it down at some point.’
Trump greets an attendee at a private fund raising event in Los Angeles today
Though Trump, who has pulled a series of about-faces in recent days, walked away from his threat to close the border, he went ahead and highlighted the conditions at the boundary with Mexico.
The fence that Trump is touring is a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) section that was a long-planned replacement for an older barrier, rather than new wall.
The White House says the barrier is marked with a plaque bearing Trump’s name and those of top homeland security officials.
The president’s visit came a day after he withdrew his nominee to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Longtime border official Ron Vitiello appeared to be cruising toward confirmation, but Trump said Friday that he wanted to go in a ‘tougher direction.’
Trump greets an attendee at a private fund raising event in Los Angeles today
Trump, who wants to return to illegal immigration as a key 2020 re-election issue, also took to Twitter earlier Friday to claim that he could revive his threat to shut the border, a move that fellow Republicans warned would have a devastating economic impact.
‘If for any reason Mexico stops apprehending and bringing the illegals back to where they came from, the U.S. will be forced to Tariff at 25% all cars made in Mexico and shipped over the Border to us.
If that doesn’t work, which it will, I will close the Border,’ Trump tweeted, before invoking the new but not-yet-approved trade policy. ‘This will supersede USMCA.’
As Trump landed in California, the state’s governor ripped the president’s push for Congress to pass legislation that would tighten asylum rules to make it harder for people to qualify.
‘Since our founding, this country has been a place of refuge – a safe haven for people fleeing tyranny, oppression and violence. His words show a total disregard of the Constitution, our justice system, and what it means to be an American,’ said Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.