Views on wall between US, "dangerous" Mexico never changed: Trump
After White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly, stated President Trump's stance on the US-Mexico wall was evolving, the latter denied changing his views on the same. During an interview, Kelly said President Trump was "uninformed" when he promised to build the wall. Disagreeing publicly, Trump tweeted the "Wall is the Wall...it has never changed or evolved," adding Mexico will pay for it.
President Trump annoyed by Kelly's statements
President Trump is reportedly "frustrated" with John Kelly's statements. Kelly told Fox News and lawmakers in a meeting that Trump made the promise when he was "not fully informed" about the feasibility of the US-Mexico wall and immigration issues, adding Trump's views are evolving. He also said the US administration was aware that Mexico is never going to pay for the border wall.
President Trump's position clear since day one: White House
White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah stated: "The President is frustrated with the media coverage over the last 24 hours of that interview and of the meeting. The President's position on border security has been very clear since day one."
What exactly did Kelly say?
According to the lawmakers who attended the meeting, Chief of Staff John Kelly stated: "Certain things are said during the (Trump's presidential) campaign that are uninformed." Kelly, in fact, took credit for "educating the President on the wall and that a concrete barrier from sea to shining sea was no longer the conception of border security barriers supported today by the White House."
Campaigns aren't fully informed about every policy: Kelly
"I can confirm that Chief of Staff Kelly said...the President's campaign was not fully informed about the wall he was promising to voters," said Democrat Luis V Gutierrez, who attended the meeting. Gutierrez added, "Kelly went on to say that many campaigns are not fully informed about every policy and that campaigning and governing are two different things and that governing is harder."
Mexico, world's most dangerous country: President Trump
However, in a series of tweets, President Trump 'falsely' claimed that Mexico is currently "rated the number one most dangerous country in the world". He said a border wall between the US and the "dangerous" Mexico is needed "for the safety and security" of his country. He, however, added Mexico would still pay "directly or indirectly, or through longer term reimbursement" for the wall.
Not the world's most dangerous country: Mexico
Following President Trump's tweets, Mexico's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, clarified they aren't paying for the wall. "Even though Mexico has a significant problem with violence, it is plainly false that Mexico is the most dangerous country in the world," said the Ministry, responding to Trump's claims. Mexico pointed out "the US guns and US demand for drugs" are major drivers of violence.
