Thompson Statement on Trump Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thompson Statement on Trump Shutdown

President Marks One Year in Office with Another Failure

January 20, 2018 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Trump Shutdown marking the end of President Trump's first year in office:

"It is truly shameful that President Trump marks the completion of his first year in office by overseeing - and being the root cause of - this federal government shutdown. Over the past weeks, it has been clear that the President has brought no shred of leadership to negotiations on DACA and immigration matters. He - as Senator Schumer indicated last night - seemed hell-bent on closing the government and dividing Americans. We, as Democrats, have no appetite to allow him to use DREAMers - or kids on S-CHIP - as a bargaining chips to get whatever he wants. This is his shutdown."

"President Trump has been in office one year, and nothing could be more clear: the country is worse off and less safe because of his policies, poor management, and absent leadership. Against centuries of tradition and American values, President Trump is dead set on an exclusionary immigration system that keeps out those that want their chance at the American dream, be with their families, and add to our economy. President Trump claims he wants an immigration system with heart – but he canceled DACA for no reason, demands an unnecessary border wall while leaving taxpayers with the bill, and has banned immigration from certain majority-Muslim countries."

"President Trump has also seemed to ignore the millions that faced natural disasters last year – including Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the wildfires in California. If helping those in need will not help him politically, it has become obvious that he has no interest. Not only has he not requested adequate assistance to help these areas, he seems ambivalent about Puerto Rico's dire situation and lack of electricity. We still have no idea how many have perished there."

"Worse yet, President Trump has ignored the rise of domestic terrorism and white supremacist terrorism. And over a year since Russia interfered in our election - a direct attack on our democracy - he seems to have done nothing to prevent it from happening again."

"It is high time that President Trump takes the presidency seriously and understands it requires hard work and serious effort. 2018 must not be a repeat of 2017. He cannot ignore the threats our country face. An easy first act of good faith would be for the President to begin working with both parties in Congress to help the DREAMers - something he has supported in the past – and an overwhelming majority of Americans agree with."

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Media contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978