Trump Widens Rift With Congress as Critical Showdowns Loom
“If we have to close down our government, we’re building
that wall,” Mr. Trump told a raucous rally in Phoenix as his supporters chanted, “Build that wall!”
“The American people voted for immigration control — that’s one of the reasons I’m here,” he added.
“We are working together to develop tax reform and infrastructure legislation so we can grow the economy
and create jobs; to prevent a government default; to fund the government so we can advance our priorities in the short and long terms; to pass the defense authorization and defense appropriations bills so we can support our troops and help implement an effective strategy against ISIL; to provide relief from Obamacare; and to continue our progress for our nation’s veterans.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, echoed
that statement and said the president and Mr. McConnell “will hold previously scheduled meetings following the August recess to discuss these critical items with members of the congressional leadership and the president’s cabinet.”
But there is growing evidence of tensions that have erupted privately between the president and other senior Republicans as well.
“The president said he will purposefully hurt American communities to force American
taxpayers to fund an immoral, ineffective and expensive border wall,” she said.
“One way or the other, we’re going to get that wall.”
On Wednesday, he followed up on the threat by attacking Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, a Republican who has said he is skeptical of building a border wall between the United States
and Mexico unless, as Mr. Trump promised, Mexico pays for it.