Trump backs down on border wall funding

Donald Trump has indicated he will scrap plans to find cash for his border wall in this week's spending bill.

The president's close adviser, Kellyanne Conway, said funding for the wall would be left out of a budget measure that must pass by Friday.

Building the wall, paid for by Mexico, was a key campaign promise.

Democrats had threatened to block the bill if money was earmarked for the wall, so its omission may now avert a government shutdown.

But the president insisted on Twitter that he still supported the wall and that it would be built.

He reportedly told a private meeting with members of the conservative media on Monday night that he might be open to funding the wall later in the year.

And Ms Conway confirmed to Fox News that the wall does not need to be funded this week, but remains a very important priority.

Mr Trump had proposed $1.5bn (£1.2bn) for his wall as part of the spending bill, which funds federal agencies to the end of the current fiscal year.

Analysts say the president is under pressure to deliver on his election pledges, few of which have been fulfilled during his first 100 days in office.

How has Trump done so far?

Presidential Chief of Staff Reince Priebus on Tuesday said he was working at breakneck speed within the confines of the law to implement his promises.

The president's funding plans for the wall have united Democrats in blanket opposition.

And some Republicans have balked at the estimated cost of $21.6bn - more than the price tag the president cited as $12bn.

Republicans with districts along the border have also been very critical, conscious that they have large Hispanic populations.

But the White House is insistent that the wall must be built, and will not concede there will be a delay. 

Priorities have not changed, said spokesman Sean Spicer. There will be a wall built. 

It is important to prevent human trafficking, gangs like MS-13 from coming in, the flow of illegal drug and illegal immigration, he added. 

 

Credit: The BBC  

 

Donald Trump has indicated he will scrap plans to find cash for his border wall in this week's spending bill.

The president's close adviser, Kellyanne Conway, said funding for the wall would be left out of a budget measure that must pass by Friday.

Building the wall, paid for by Mexico, was a key campaign promise.

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