Trump Addresses Americans about Border ‘Crisis’ amid Gov’t Shutdown

In his first-ever primetime address to the nation from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump addressed what the White House has called a “humanitarian and national security crisis” on the border with Mexico, RT reported.

During his address Trump stressed that there is a growing security crisis at the southern US border, adding that all Americans are hurt by illegal immigration. The president said that law enforcement needs $5.7 billion to build border fence.

According to Sputnik, Trump also said that he invited congressional leadership to White House on Wednesday to negotiate a deal over border security.

The US government has endured a partial shutdown for nearly three weeks after Trump refused to approve a funding bill because it did not include more than $5 billion to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

The president told Democrats last week that he was willing to keep the government closed for months or even years until the border issue is resolved.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) have demanded airtime after the president’s address, to counter whatever arguments he may put forth, said RT.

Democrats want to “immediately” be given a chance to counter the president’s speech.

H.M