SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - San Diego lawmakers responded Friday to President Donald Trump’s comments about border wall construction and funding as the government shutdown stretched into day 13.
Trump declared he could keep parts of the government closed for "months or even years" as he and Democratic leaders failed in a second closed-door meeting to resolve his demand for billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico.
“We did a lot of wall in San Diego,” Trump said at a White House news conference. “They wanted it very badly.”
Trump cited concerns about the U.S.-Mexico border, including entry by terrorists, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
San Diego County’s congressional representatives emailed comments to 10News regarding the president’s statements.
“San Diegans view our proximity to Mexico as an opportunity, not a threat, and we recently celebrated building a bridge between our two countries – not a wall – a bridge with adequate customs staffing so people can travel back and forth easily, and legally,” wrote Rep. Scott Peters. “San Diegans want smart, innovative border security – not the wasteful wall that President Trump wants to build as a monument to himself.”
Congressman Duncan Hunter, San Diego County’s lone Republican representative, issued a statement through his public information officer.
“Congressman Hunter believes President Trump needs to stand strong on the issue of border security and his description of it as a ‘national emergency’ means he has a firm grasp of its importance. A border barrier is absolutely necessary, some of which is already in existence which many in Congress initially supported. What the President is asking for in terms of funding is not unreasonable and holding Congress accountable is exactly what he was elected to do.”
10News is awaiting responses from Rep. Juan Vargas, whose district includes the South Bay, and Rep. Susan Davis.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
