Former President Trump late Wednesday warned lawmakers not to agree to a border policy deal unless Republicans get everything they need to stop migrants from entering the United States, calling for a bipartisan compromise in Congress. Efforts toward this may become difficult.
“I have everything I need to stop the incursion of millions of people, many from unknown regions, into this once-great and soon-to-be-great country. I don't think we should have a border agreement at all unless there is.'' ” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“And I have no doubt that our great Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will only reach a perfect agreement on the border,” Trump wrote. “Remember, without strong borders and honest elections, we don’t have a country!!!”
Trump's comments came as Johnson and other congressional leaders met with White House officials to discuss national security funding from the Biden administration, including money for Ukraine in the war against Russia and funding for Israel and border security. The announcement came hours after discussing the future direction of the request. .
Lawmakers said the purpose of the meeting was to emphasize that time is running out for Congress to pass an emergency amendment, and that the main target audience is the new government under pressure from conservatives in their own conferences. Mr. Johnson has opposed the Senate border deal.
At the same time, Biden said he was willing to make significant compromises on border policy to secure a Ukraine funding deal.
But Mr. Johnson has backed down under pressure from conservatives in his press conference, and Mr. Trump's comments are likely to only strengthen some Republicans' opposition to the possibility of a bipartisan deal.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) claimed Wednesday that Republicans are blocking the border bill from progressing in the Senate on “order” from Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.
“Rather than participating in good faith in bipartisan negotiations between Democrats and Biden to advance immigration, they are actively sabotaging a bipartisan border agreement at the behest of Donald Trump. “There are,” Raskin said.
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