Trump throws border security deal in Congress further into doubt

Donald Trump‘s decision to weigh in on a border deal being negotiated in the Senate is imperiling its passage even before the details of that agreement have been announced.

The former president took a hard line Wednesday on the possible agreement, demanded by Republicans in exchange for further aid to Ukraine. His comments, posted on Truth Social, reflect the views of House conservatives, who take an “all-or-nothing” approach to border security, but his sway over the party only serves to complicate its path through the lower chamber.

“I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people, many from parts unknown, into our once great, but soon to be great again, Country!” Trump, who is running for a second term in the White House, wrote.

Republican and Democratic senators have been negotiating a deal for months and appear close to a compromise that ushers Ukraine aid through the Senate. But its prospects are far less certain in the House, where conservatives have outsize sway due to Republicans’ slim majority.

The top Republican negotiator, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), doubted Trump’s comments would tank a border agreement on Thursday. “Everybody wants to be able to read it, and that’s entirely fair for everybody that wants to be able to read it, go through it,” he said.

However, the leading Democratic negotiator, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), wasn’t as sure. Asked about the effect Trump’s statement could have on a prospect of a “grand bargain” getting done, he said, “I don’t know, you’d have to ask the Republicans.”

Trump-aligned Republican Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) hit the negotiators for what he described as a lack of transparency, noting that text has not been made available to lawmakers. The deal will likely include tighter restrictions on asylum as well as new expulsion powers for the president, but the possible inclusion of work permits for immigrants is one element giving conservatives pause. Any deal that lacks changes to parole would also have difficulty getting through.

“I certainly don’t like what I’m hearing about this border deal,” Hawley said.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Portsmouth, N.H., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

“I’m not gonna vote for 50,000 more green cards a year. I’m not going to vote for expediting work permits for illegal immigrants. I’m not going to vote for a deal that allows 5,000 illegal crossings every day without shutting the border down,” the senator added.

As to whether the Republican negotiators will listen to Trump’s advice, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) said it’s likely given his de facto leadership of the Republican Party. “I wish they would listen to him more because the negotiation that’s currently taking shape is not going to meaningfully reduce the amount of illegal border crossings in the country,” he said.

Vance further claimed he hadn’t seen evidence that serious border security provisions were being considered in the discussions, even as Republican leadership rejects that characterization.

According to Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), there’s potential for the package to fall victim to Trump’s disapproval. “I’ve been here long enough that I’ve experienced Trump killing a number of bills,” he explained. However, he remains hopeful that this won’t be the case, noting, “There are plenty of Republicans who recognize that this is urgent and that a good compromise is in the best interests of the country.”

Homeland Security Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) telegraphed a similar optimism. “I hope we actually solve a problem instead of engaging in theatrics,” the senator said. “I hope the Republicans want to be a part of it.”

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), whose state has been one of the most affected by surging illegal border crossings, said he believes a deal will come to fruition. As for the former president, he said, “I think Donald Trump should be focused on his [91 charges], felony indictments, and his court cases.”

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In the same Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “I have no doubt that our wonderful Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will only make a deal that is PERFECT ON THE BORDER. Remember, without Strong Borders and Honest Elections, we don’t have a Country!!!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appears to be aligned with the former president, including on a border deal. On a recent call with the House Republican Conference, the speaker reportedly signaled a deal without the provisions laid out in the House’s signature border bill, H.R. 2, is “dead on arrival,” but he has since signaled a path to getting the bill through if it “meaningfully” tackles the record surge of border crossers.

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