Washington: President Donald Trump visited the US-Mexico border on Tuesday and tried to credit his new wall by stopping both illegal immigration and the coronavirus.
But his visit played out as top public health officials in Washington were testifying about the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, singling out Arizona as one of the states now experiencing a surge in cases.
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In the blazing summer heat, Trump briefly stopped to inspect a new section of the concrete and rebar structure where the president and other officials took a moment to scrawl their signatures on the wall.
Trump was looking to regain campaign momentum after his weekend rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was supposed to be a sign of the nation’s reopening and a show of political force but instead generated thousands of empty seats and swirling questions about the president’s campaign leadership and his case for another four years in office.
The low turnout sharpened the focus on Trump’s visit to Arizona, which doubles as both a 2020 battleground state and a surging coronavirus hot spot.
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By visiting the border, Trump sought to change the subject to an issue he believes will help electrify his base in November. "It is the most powerful and comprehensive border wall structure anywhere in the world," said Trump during a rountable at the US Border Patrol Station in Yuma, Arizona.
"It's got technology that nobody would even believe. Between sensors and cameras and everything else."
But his visit played out as top public health officials in Washington were testifying about the ongoing threat posed by the coronovirus and singling out Arizona as one of the states now experiencing a surge in cases.
The president also spoke about DACA. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, which protects 650,000 people brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and authorizes them to work. "We'll work it out with DACA," said Trump.
"I think good things are happening with DACA, they resubmit it will work it out and the Democrats have been playing with DACA for years and they haven't done anything, I'll get it done."
AP
