Zuzana Caputova Elected First Female President Of Slovakia - NPR

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Zuzana Caputova, elected as Slovakia's first female president, greets supporters on Saturday evening. Petr David Josek/AP hide caption

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Petr David Josek/AP

Zuzana Caputova, a liberal environmental activist and a political newcomer, was elected Slovakia's first female president Saturday, riding to victory on a wave of public outrage against corruption in government.

With 58 percent of the vote, Caputova edged out European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, a diplomat backed by the county's governing Smer-Social Democracy party.

In her acceptance speech, Caputova framed her win as a rebuke to the nationalist rhetoric on the rise in central Europe in recent years. Since 2015, nationalist parties have won victories in Hungary, Poland and Austria.

"I am happy not just for the result, but mainly that it is possible not to succumb to populism, to tell the truth, to raise interest without aggressive vocabulary," she told supporters.

Voters had been outspoken about their disgust with political corruption. After a journalist reporting on political corruption and his fiance were shot and killed last February, tens of thousands of Slovaks took to the street in protest, chanting "Enough with Smer." The protests would eventually prompt the resignation of the country's prime minister at the time, Robert Fico.

Ján Orlovský, who heads Slovakia's Open Society Foundations, told NPR at the time, "We have lots of these skeletons in the closet, which we need to address and one of the skeletons is corruption."

Caputova, a vocal participant in the protests that rocked the country, has promised to tackle corruption head-on. Casting herself as the anti-corruption candidate with the campaign slogan "stand up to evil," she vowed to shake-up the political establishment, which she says is currently run "by people pulling strings from behind."

Immediately after her victory, Caputova lit a candle at a memorial for the assassinated journalist, Ján Kuciak, and his fiancee, Martina Kusnírová.

First Slovak female president Zuzana Čaputová lit the candle for murdered journalist #JanKucia and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. It was first thing she did after elections.
Photo @tomas_halasz #Nikon pic.twitter.com/TTi7DJhdWU

— Filip Struhárik (@filip_struharik) March 31, 2019

Caputova gained popularity in Slovakia after her decade-long crusade to shut down a toxic waste dump, which was spewing poison into her hometown of Pezinok in western Slovakia. Her campaign to close the site earned her a prestigious Goldman Environmental prize in 2016, along with the nickname "Erin Brockovich of Slovakia."

Caputova will be Slovakia's fifth president since the country gained independence in 1993.

As NPR's Joanna Kakissis has reported, Slovakia's presidential post is "largely ceremonial," with the president wielding little day-t0-day power. But, Caputova has been outspoken about her desire to use the platform to promote transparency.

She will take office in June.

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https://www.npr.org/2019/03/31/708587211/the-erin-brockovich-of-slovakia-is-elected-the-country-s-first-female-president

2019-03-31 23:12:00Z
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Erdogan bloc 'loses Ankara' in local polls; Istanbul race tight - Aljazeera.com

Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party is locked in a tight race for control of Istanbul, the country's largest city, as the main opposition alliance appears set to win the local election race in the capital, according to partial results.

With 99 percent of the votes counted in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim, the candidate of Erdogan's People's Alliance and a former prime minister, was in the lead with 48.7 percent, state-run Anadolu Agency said on Sunday. Ekrem Imamoglu, the candidate of the opposition Nation Alliance, had 48.65 percent. 

In Ankara, preliminary results showed that Nation Alliance candidate Mansur Yavas had garnered 50.6 percent, with 92 percent of the votes counted. He was followed by Mehmet Ozhaseki, the People's Alliance nominee in the capital, with 47.2 percent. 

In the third-largest city, Izmir, the Nation Alliance candidate Mustafa Tunc Soyer was in the lead with 58.1 percent. Nihat Zeybekci, the candidate of Erdogan's bloc, had 38.5 percent.

Nationwide, with 91.7 percent of the provincial votes counted, the People's Alliance, which is comprised of the AK Party and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had secured 51.7 percent of the votes.

It was followed by Nation Alliance, a coalition made up by the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the right-wing Good Party, with 37.6 percent.

Erdogan vows economic reforms

The polls posed a major challenge for Erdogan given a backdrop of high inflation and rising unemployment sparked by a major currency crisis last year.

Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Erdogan on Sunday acknowledged that his party had lost control in a number of cities, and pledged that he would focus on carrying out economic reforms.

Erdogan, who was elected last year as the country's first executive president, said the next polls would be held in June 2023, adding that Turkey would carefully implement a "strong economic programme" without compromising on free-market rules. 

Murat Yetkin, a Turkish political analyst, told Al Jazeera that if "the Erdogan-led AK Party-MHP alliance loses Istanbul [along with Ankara] as well, that means loss of control over five major cities in Turkey."

"Even if Istanbul, with 11 million voters, is won with a few thousand votes, it will be perceived as a major loss," he said.

"The results also show that the executive presidential system, which was designed to avoid coalitions, has led to a de facto coalition, since the AK Party cannot maintain majority without its symbiotic partnership with MHP."

Ozgur Dilber, a CHP volunteer, said the results showed that the AK Party's popularity was waning - even if  Erdogan's bloc won in Istanbul.

"To me, the results are a proof that the number of voters who want change is increasing," he told Al Jazeera outside the party's election monitoring office.

Focus on economy, security

Earlier this month, official statistics showed that in the last two quarters of 2018 the Turkish economy slipped into its first recession in a decade, as inflation and interest rates soared due to the currency meltdown.

190330150248508

In February, inflation stood at just under 20 percent, while the Central Bank's main interest rate is currently 24 percent.  

In the lead-up to Sunday's vote, the People's Alliance sought to link the local polls to internal and external risks threatening the country's security.

Erdogan has often blamed foreign powers and "speculators" for the currency fluctuations and other economic woes faced by Turkey - a message he repeated this week.

For its part, the main opposition alliance has focused its campaign on the economic situation and its effect on citizens.

It also used Turkish flags in their campaigns, rather than party banners, in an apparent bid to attract voters from different backgrounds.

Follow Umut Uras on Twitter @Um_Uras

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/erdogan-ruling-ak-party-takes-lead-key-local-polls-190331155748741.html

2019-03-31 21:47:00Z
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Erdogan bloc 'loses Ankara' in local polls; Istanbul race tight - Aljazeera.com

Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party is locked in a tight race for control of Istanbul, the country's largest city, as the main opposition alliance appears set to win the local election race in the capital, according to partial results.

With 99 percent of the votes counted in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim, the candidate of Erdogan's People's Alliance and a former prime minister, was in the lead with 48.7 percent, state-run Anadolu Agency said on Sunday. Ekrem Imamoglu, the candidate of the opposition Nation Alliance, had 48.65 percent. 

In Ankara, preliminary results showed that Nation Alliance candidate Mansur Yavas had garnered 50.6 percent, with 92 percent of the votes counted. He was followed by Mehmet Ozhaseki, the People's Alliance nominee in the capital, with 47.2 percent. 

In the third-largest city, Izmir, the Nation Alliance candidate Mustafa Tunc Soyer was in the lead with 58.1 percent. Nihat Zeybekci, the candidate of Erdogan's bloc, had 38.5 percent.

Nationwide, with 91.7 percent of the provincial votes counted, the People's Alliance, which is comprised of the AK Party and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had secured 51.7 percent of the votes.

It was followed by Nation Alliance, a coalition made up by the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the right-wing Good Party, with 37.6 percent.

Erdogan vows economic reforms

The polls posed a major challenge for Erdogan given a backdrop of high inflation and rising unemployment sparked by a major currency crisis last year.

Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Erdogan on Sunday acknowledged that his party had lost control in a number of cities, and pledged that he would focus on carrying out economic reforms.

Erdogan, who was elected last year as the country's first executive president, said the next polls would be held in June 2023, adding that Turkey would carefully implement a "strong economic programme" without compromising on free-market rules. 

Murat Yetkin, a Turkish political analyst, told Al Jazeera that if "the Erdogan-led AK Party-MHP alliance loses Istanbul [along with Ankara] as well, that means loss of control over five major cities in Turkey."

"Even if Istanbul, with 11 million voters, is won with a few thousand votes, it will be perceived as a major loss," he said.

"The results also show that the executive presidential system, which was designed to avoid coalitions, has led to a de facto coalition, since the AK Party cannot maintain majority without its symbiotic partnership with MHP."

Ozgur Dilber, a CHP volunteer, said the results showed that the AK Party's popularity was waning - even if  Erdogan's bloc won in Istanbul.

"To me, the results are a proof that the number of voters who want change is increasing," he told Al Jazeera outside the party's election monitoring office.

Focus on economy, security

Earlier this month, official statistics showed that in the last two quarters of 2018 the Turkish economy slipped into its first recession in a decade, as inflation and interest rates soared due to the currency meltdown.

190330150248508

In February, inflation stood at just under 20 percent, while the Central Bank's main interest rate is currently 24 percent.  

In the lead-up to Sunday's vote, the People's Alliance sought to link the local polls to internal and external risks threatening the country's security.

Erdogan has often blamed foreign powers and "speculators" for the currency fluctuations and other economic woes faced by Turkey - a message he repeated this week.

For its part, the main opposition alliance has focused its campaign on the economic situation and its effect on citizens.

It also used Turkish flags in their campaigns, rather than party banners, in an apparent bid to attract voters from different backgrounds.

Follow Umut Uras on Twitter @Um_Uras

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/erdogan-ruling-ak-party-takes-lead-key-local-polls-190331155748741.html

2019-03-31 21:37:00Z
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Erdogan's bloc takes lead in key local polls - Aljazeera.com

Share of vote (20:30 GMT)

Istanbul: People's Alliance 49.7%, Nation Alliance 48.65%

Ankara: People's Alliance 47.2%, Nation Alliance 50.6%

Izmir: People's Alliance 38.5%, Nation Alliance 58.2%

Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party is locked in a tight race for control of Istanbul, the country's largest city, as the main opposition alliance appears set to win the local election race in the capital, according to partial results.

With 99 percent of the votes counted in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim, the candidate of Erdogan's People's Alliance and a former prime minister, was in the lead with 48.7 percent , state-run Anadolu Agency said on Sunday. Ekrem Imamoglu, the candidate of the opposition Nation Alliance, had 48.65 percent. 

In Ankara, preliminary results showed that Nation Alliance candidate Mansur Yavas had garnered 50.6 percent, with 92 percent of the votes counted. He was followed by Mehmet Ozhaseki, the People's Alliance nominee in the capital, with 47.2 percent. 

In the third-largest city, Izmir, the Nation Alliance candidate Mustafa Tunc Soyer was in the lead with 58.1 percent. Nihat Zeybekci, the candidate of Erdogan's bloc, had 38.5 percent.

Nationwide, with 92 percent of the provincial votes counted, the People's Alliance, which is comprised of the AK Party and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had secured 52 percent of the votes.

It was followed by Nation Alliance, a coalition made up by the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the right-wing Good Party, with 37.6 percent.

Erdogan vows economic reforms

The polls posed a major challenge for Erdogan given a backdrop of high inflation and rising unemployment sparked by a major currency crisis last year.

Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Erdogan on Sunday acknowledged that his party had lost control in a number of cities, and pledged that he would focus on carrying out economic reforms.

Erdogan, who was elected last year as the country's first executive president, said the next polls would be held in June 2023, adding that Turkey would carefully implement a "strong economic programme" without compromising on free-market rules. 

"If the AK Party-MHP alliance loses Istanbul, it will only hold one - Bursa - among the six largest cities of Turkey. Even if it does not lose Istanbul, this is still a major loss," Murat Yetkin, a Turkish political analyst, told Al Jazeera.

"These results show that although the country has a presidential system, we are actually governed by a coalition between the AK Party and the MHP. The ruling party needs the MHP for future elections."

Ozgur Dilber, a CHP volunteer, said the results showed that the AK Party's popularity was waning - even if  Erdogan's bloc won in Istanbul.

"To me, the results are a proof that the number of voters who want change is increasing," he told Al Jazeera outside the party's election monitoring office.

Focus on economy, security

Earlier this month, official statistics showed that in the last two quarters of 2018 the Turkish economy slipped into its first recession in a decade, as inflation and interest rates soared due to the currency meltdown.

190330150248508

In February, inflation stood at just under 20 percent, while the Central Bank's main interest rate is currently 24 percent.  

In the lead-up to Sunday's vote, the People's Alliance sought to link the local polls to internal and external risks threatening the country's security.

Erdogan has often blamed foreign powers and "speculators" for the currency fluctuations and other economic woes faced by Turkey - a message he repeated this week.

For its part, the main opposition alliance has focused its campaign on the economic situation and its effect on citizens.

It also used Turkish flags in their campaigns, rather than party banners, in an apparent bid to attract voters from different backgrounds.

Follow Umut Uras on Twitter @Um_Uras

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/erdogan-ruling-ak-party-takes-lead-key-local-polls-190331155748741.html

2019-03-31 20:59:00Z
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Zelensky to face Poroshenko in Ukraine runoff: exit polls - Aljazeera.com

Kiev, Ukraine - Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky will face incumbent President Petro Poroshenko in a runoff vote for Ukraine's presidency, exit polls have shown.

Zelensky, a political novice who is better known for playing a president in a TV sitcom, was projected to win 30.6 percent of the votes cast on Sunday, according to surveys conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology and the Razumkov Centre.

"This is just a first step towards a great victory," he told supporters after the publication of the exit polls. 

Poroshenko, who has been in power since 2014, was forecast to come second, with 17.8 percent of the votes.

"I critically and soberly understand the signal that society gave today to the acting authorities," he said, accepting the projected results.

It was a different story for opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, who disputed the surveys that showed her coming third, with 14.2 percent of the votes. 

"I urge not to consider exit polls as the ultimate truth. This is an absolutely manipulative dishonest thing," said Tymoshenko, who has sought the presidency twice before.

Ukraine's Central Election Commission (CEC) is expected to announce preliminary results overnight on Monday. It said the voter turnout stood at 63.4 percent.

The decisive runoff will take place on April 21.

Zelensky's foreign policy

Dmitro Razumkov, Zelensky's political aide, told Al Jazeera that if the comedian won the second round of voting he would stand by the Minsk Agreement.

The accord was forged by France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia - the countries involved in talks known as the Normandy Format - to secure truce in the country's east between the Moscow-backed rebels and the Ukrainian army was a backbone to Ukraine's security.

Ukraine election - Comedian more popular than President Poroshenko (2:43)

"All sanctions put in place by the European Union against Russia are linked to the Minsk Agreement. If we try to annul it, we might lose these sanctions. It can't be," Razumkov said, speaking after Zelensky's speech at his campaign headquarters in Kiev.

"Zelensky's proposal is to add the United Kingdom and the United States to the Normandy Format as the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum to apply a joint pressure on Russia like a laser beam."

Under Zelensky, Razumkov said, Ukraine would continue aspiring to join the European Union and NATO, but it would hold a referendum on the issues only when the chance of doing so was realistic.

"We will not be selling air. Even Germany's [Chancellor] Angela Merkel said that the prospect is far. It doesn't mean that we will stop aspiring to join the EU; we must keep following the path and one day achieve it," he said.

"The story is similar with the NATO. We need to modernise the army and at the moment Ukraine is not in a position to do so.

"We will not be holding a referendum on these subjects 10-20 years ahead of time, but at a time when there is a realistic opportunity [to join the EU and NATO]."

Corruption, Russia, EU

The vote on Sunday was the first since the so-called Revolution of Dignity brought Poroshenko in power five years ago.

The 53-year-old, who was elected with almost 55 percent of votes in 2014, seems to have failed to rally his electorate despite his efforts to be seen as a passionate defender of the country's territorial unity, as well as the champion of the goal of joining the EU and NATO.

During his time in office, Poroshenko has reinforced the country's army and ratified the Association Agreement with the European Union, the document that enabled Ukrainians to trade with and travel to Europe without restrictions.

The incumbent president also secured the independence of Ukraine's Orthodox Church from its Russian counterpart. But he failed to rid the country of corruption or recover money stolen from Ukraine's coffers before he came to power.

Boriak, 37, lamented the absence of candidates caring about female rights  [Oksana Parafeniuk/Al Jazeera]

At a polling station in central Kiev, Sviatoslav Yurash, a 23-year-old working for Zelensky's election campaign team, told Al Jazeera he was backing the comic because "he will be pro-market, pro-Ukraine, pro-Europe, pro-NATO".

Tetiana Boriak, 37, said she voted for Poroshenko because she believed he was the only candidate who would resist Russia. 

"I do not think that other candidates will be able to negotiate with [Russia's President Vladimir] Putin. Poroshenko is the only one who will resist the way I think is correct," she told Al Jazeera.

The elections took place against a backdrop of war in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk region, with government forces fighting Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 13,000 people. 

The conflict followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 which in turn came after Ukraine overthrew Moscow-backed leader Viktor Yanukovich earlier that year.

Several millions of the approximately 35 million eligible voters were unable or unwilling to cast their ballots in the occupied territories.

Poroshenko was elected with almost 55 percent of votes in 2014 [Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters]

Oleksandr Bondarenko, a 28-year-old software developer, said she had voted for Tymoshenko "because with her in the second round, we will have a better chance of defeating Poroshenko".

"This vote is very important for us because President Poroshenko has to leave. A lot of issues came up with his policies, especially with corruption," said Bondarenko.

Olena Peftiiva, 53, came to the polling station not only to cast her ballot but also make sure that her deceased husband's ballot is not used for rigging the elections.

"My husband has been dead for 10 years. But his election registration confirmation arrived at my address. This has not happened during previous polls. I came to the polling station to make sure that his ballot is destroyed," she said.

Follow Al Jazeera's Tamila Varshalomidze on Twitter @tamila87v

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/zelensky-face-poroshenko-ukraine-run-exit-poll-190331171422240.html

2019-03-31 20:39:00Z
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Zelensky to face Poroshenko in Ukraine runoff: exit polls - Aljazeera.com

Kiev, Ukraine - Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky will face incumbent President Petro Poroshenko in a runoff vote for Ukraine's presidency, exit polls have shown.

Zelensky, a political novice who is better known for playing a president in a TV sitcom, was projected to win 30.6 percent of the votes cast on Sunday, according to surveys conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology and the Razumkov Centre.

"This is just a first step towards a great victory," he told supporters after the publication of the exit polls. 

Poroshenko, who has been in power since 2014, was forecast to come second, with 17.8 percent of the votes.

"I critically and soberly understand the signal that society gave today to the acting authorities," he said, accepting the projected results.

It was a different story for opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, who disputed the surveys that showed her coming third, with 14.2 percent of the votes. 

"I urge not to consider exit polls as the ultimate truth. This is an absolutely manipulative dishonest thing," said Tymoshenko, who has sought the presidency twice before.

Ukraine's Central Election Commission (CEC) is expected to announce preliminary results overnight on Monday. It said the voter turnout stood at 63.4 percent.

The decisive runoff will take place on April 21.

Zelensky's foreign policy

Dmitro Razumkov, Zelensky's political aide, told Al Jazeera that if the comedian won the second round of voting he would stand by the Minsk Agreement.

The accord was forged by France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia - the countries involved in talks known as the Normandy Format - to secure truce in the country's east between the Moscow-backed rebels and the Ukrainian army was a backbone to Ukraine's security.

Ukraine election - Comedian more popular than President Poroshenko (2:43)

"All sanctions put in place by the European Union against Russia are linked to the Minsk Agreement. If we try to annul it, we might lose these sanctions. It can't be," Razumkov said, speaking after Zelensky's speech at his campaign headquarters in Kiev.

"Zelensky's proposal is to add the United Kingdom and the United States to the Normandy Format as the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum to apply a joint pressure on Russia like a laser beam."

Under Zelensky, Razumkov said, Ukraine would continue aspiring to join the European Union and NATO, but it would hold a referendum on the issues only when the chance of doing so was realistic.

"We will not be selling air. Even Germany's [Chancellor] Angela Merkel said that the prospect is far. It doesn't mean that we will stop aspiring to join the EU; we must keep following the path and one day achieve it," he said.

"The story is similar with the NATO. We need to modernise the army and at the moment Ukraine is not in a position to do so.

"We will not be holding a referendum on these subjects 10-20 years ahead of time, but at a time when there is a realistic opportunity [to join the EU and NATO]."

Corruption, Russia, EU

The vote on Sunday was the first since the so-called Revolution of Dignity brought Poroshenko in power five years ago.

The 53-year-old, who was elected with almost 55 percent of votes in 2014, seems to have failed to rally his electorate despite his efforts to be seen as a passionate defender of the country's territorial unity, as well as the champion of the goal of joining the EU and NATO.

During his time in office, Poroshenko has reinforced the country's army and ratified the Association Agreement with the European Union, the document that enabled Ukrainians to trade with and travel to Europe without restrictions.

The incumbent president also secured the independence of Ukraine's Orthodox Church from its Russian counterpart. But he failed to rid the country of corruption or recover money stolen from Ukraine's coffers before he came to power.

Boriak, 37, lamented the absence of candidates caring about female rights  [Oksana Parafeniuk/Al Jazeera]

At a polling station in central Kiev, Sviatoslav Yurash, a 23-year-old working for Zelensky's election campaign team, told Al Jazeera he was backing the comic because "he will be pro-market, pro-Ukraine, pro-Europe, pro-NATO".

Tetiana Boriak, 37, said she voted for Poroshenko because she believed he was the only candidate who would resist Russia. 

"I do not think that other candidates will be able to negotiate with [Russia's President Vladimir] Putin. Poroshenko is the only one who will resist the way I think is correct," she told Al Jazeera.

The elections took place against a backdrop of war in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk region, with government forces fighting Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 13,000 people. 

The conflict followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 which in turn came after Ukraine overthrew Moscow-backed leader Viktor Yanukovich earlier that year.

Several millions of the approximately 35 million eligible voters were unable or unwilling to cast their ballots in the occupied territories.

Poroshenko was elected with almost 55 percent of votes in 2014 [Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters]

Oleksandr Bondarenko, a 28-year-old software developer, said she had voted for Tymoshenko "because with her in the second round, we will have a better chance of defeating Poroshenko".

"This vote is very important for us because President Poroshenko has to leave. A lot of issues came up with his policies, especially with corruption," said Bondarenko.

Olena Peftiiva, 53, came to the polling station not only to cast her ballot but also make sure that her deceased husband's ballot is not used for rigging the elections.

"My husband has been dead for 10 years. But his election registration confirmation arrived at my address. This has not happened during previous polls. I came to the polling station to make sure that his ballot is destroyed," she said.

Follow Al Jazeera's Tamila Varshalomidze on Twitter @tamila87v

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/zelensky-face-poroshenko-ukraine-run-exit-poll-190331171422240.html

2019-03-31 20:20:00Z
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Trump aides stress president's resolve to close US-Mexico border | TheHill - The Hill

Members of the Trump administration on Sunday defended the president's vow to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, referring to a "crisis" in the number of migrants attempting to cross over.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSaudi King 'absolutely rejects' Trump measure on Golan Heights Five things to watch as 2020 Dems release their tax returns Baldwin returns to SNL to summarize Mueller report: 'Daddy won' MORE threatened earlier this week to shut down the border in response to growing warnings from the administration about a crisis at the border.

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Trump said multiple times last week that he could close parts of the border unless Mexico's government immediately stopped illegal crossings and while also blaming Democrats for "weak immigration laws" for making record high immigration numbers possible.

On Friday, he said there is “there’s a very good likelihood” he would shut down the border.

“Mexico is going to have to do something, otherwise I’m closing the border. I’ll just close the border. And with a deficit like we have with Mexico and have had for many years, closing the border would be a profit-making operation. When you close the border also you will stop a lot of the drugs from coming in,” Trump added to reporters in Florida.

“It certainly isn’t a bluff. You can take the president seriously," White House counselor Kellyanne ConwayKellyanne Elizabeth ConwayTrump says Schiff should be forced to resign Trump: Schiff should be forced out of office Schiff defiant: 'Undoubtedly, there is collusion' MORE later said on "Fox News Sunday."

"Congress can fix the problem of immigration that they’ve failed to fix. This president is looking at the metrics," she said, referring to Congress. She added that the U.S. has "never seen a surge" in immigration "like this."

Her comments come after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said Wednesday that immigration enforcement has reached a "breaking point."

McAleenan cited the apprehension of more than 4,000 migrants a day recently at ports of entry to argue that the system is strained and cannot handle anyone else.

Issues with backlogs of court cases and lack of proper facilities to hold those who seek asylum in the U.S. have been increasing with the growing tide of migrants. Roughly 100,000 people arrive at the southern border every month, according to Department of Homeland Security tracking.

Acting White House chief of staff Mick MulvaneyJohn (Mick) Michael MulvaneyHarris sends letter to Barr demanding answers over ObamaCare repeal efforts Overnight Health Care — Presented by the American Conservative Union — Trump says GOP senators writing 'spectacular' ObamaCare replacement | New ObamaCare fight puts spotlight on Mulvaney | NY attorney general sues Sackler family over opioid epidemic The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Pass USMCA Coalition - Trump to return to campaign stage MORE also appeared on the Sunday talk show circuit, telling ABC's "This Week" that it would take "something dramatic" for Trump not to shut down the border.

“When Jeh Johnson said it’s a crisis, I hope people now believe us. A lot of folks in the media… Democrats didn’t believe us a month ago, two months ago, when we said what was happening at the border was a crisis: a humanitarian crisis, a security crisis,” he explained.

The move to shut off the border would be a massive escalation for Trump, who has centered much of his presidency around creating a border wall and hard-line immigration policies.

Closing the border would have significant consequences for both those seeking asylum in the U.S. and for U.S.-Mexico trade. 

His messaging about threats from immigrants, that they cause crime and bring in drugs, closely mirrors his arguments in favor of shutting down the government for over a month in an attempt to secure funding for a border wall. 

Trump ended up declaring a national emergency in February to allocate roughly $8 billion in federal funds to construct additional miles of barriers to prevent further crossings after Democrats refused to provide his full request in the budget.

This is not the first time Trump has proposed closing the border in response to spikes in immigration. He threatened in November and in December of last year to do the same, but never followed through.

His tendency to issue the threat has made some question his resolve.

Sen. Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinOn The Money: Wells Fargo CEO steps down | Trump vows to keep funding for Special Olympics | House panel approves marijuana banking bill | Controversial Fed pick gains support in Senate DeVos says she fought 'behind the scenes' for Special Olympics funding Trump: 'The Special Olympics will be funded' MORE (D-Ill.) called the threat a "totally unrealistic boast" while on NBC's "Meet the Press." 

“What we need to do is focus on what’s happening in Central America, where three countries are dissembling before for our eyes and people are desperately coming to the United States," the Senate minority whip added. "The president cutting off aid to those countries will not solve the problem.”

The U.S. halted aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras on Saturday because of the number of migrants coming from them to the U.S. through Mexico.

Trump said on Friday that the countries "set up" migrant caravans to travel to the U.S. border.

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https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/436642-trump-aides-stress-presidents-resolve-to-close-us-mexico-border

2019-03-31 19:08:54Z
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