As we expected, Trump’s Oval Office address last night was filled with lies. Here’s the truth about Trump’s government shutdown:
TRUMP’S LIE: “There is a growing humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border.”
FACT: Trump is manufacturing a “crisis” at the border despite border apprehensions remaining near historic lows.
Washington Post: “By any available measure, there is no new crisis at the border. Apprehensions of people trying to cross the southern border peaked most recently at 1.6 million in 2000 and have been in decline since, partly because of technology upgrades, tougher penalties post-9/11, a decline in migration rates from Mexico and a sharp rise in the number of Border Patrol officers.”
USA Today: “But even those numbers remain at historic lows for the U.S. During the 2000s, it was common for Border Patrol agents to arrest over 100,000 people each month.”
TRUMP’S LIE: “Law enforcement professionals have requested $5.7 billion for a physical barrier.”
FACT: Both of Trump’s homeland security secretaries have dismissed the efficacy of a border wall.
John Kelly: “‘A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job. It has to be a layered defense,’ Kelly said, stressing the need to build partnerships with Latin American countries to combat drug and human trafficking.”
Kirstjen Nielsen: “President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that she does not support building a wall along the entire length of the U.S. southern border.”
TRUMP’S LIE: “Our southern border is a pipeline for vast quantities of illegal drugs, including meth, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.”
FACT: A border wall would not keep opioids out of the country.
Washington Post: “The White House Says The Border Wall Would Keep Opioids Out Of The U.S. It Wouldn’t.”
FactCheck.org: “But experts, including those within his own administration, say the vast majority of the illegal heroin enters the U.S. through legal ports of entry.”
TRUMP’S LIE: “The wall will also be paid for indirectly by the great new trade deal we have made with Mexico.”
FACT: The USMCA is not in effect yet and would not pay for the border wall.
PolitiFact: “No, Mexico Isn’t Paying For Border Wall Through USMCA Trade Deal, Despite Donald Trump’s Claims”
FactCheck.org: “Assuming the cost is closer to $25 billion, economists told us there’s not enough new benefits to the U.S. in the new trade agreement to pay for the wall.”
TRUMP’S LIE: “The federal government remains shut down for one reason and one reason only: because Democrats will not fund border security.”
FACT: Trump said he was “proud” to shut down the government and refuses to support legislation to reopen the government that was passed by Democrats and previously supported by Senate Republicans.
Trump last month: “I am proud to shut down the government.”
NBC News: “House Democrats Pass Two Spending Bills Aimed At Ending Shutdown”