Trump threatens to close border over funding

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to close the southern border if he does not receive funding to finish the border wall.

The threats by Trump comes during the seventh day of a partial government shutdown that currently has no visible end.

The shutdown began Saturday when Democratic lawmakers rejected a budget proposal from Trump who is asking for $5 billion for the wall.

"We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve!" the president said on Twitter.

He also tied the issue to trade, claiming that shutting down the border would be a "profit making operation."

The head of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Mexico Institute told CBS News that closing the border could possibly cost as much as $1 billion.

"It's an economic impossibility,” said Duncan Wood. “Literally, the two economies would grind to a halt. Both economies are set up to depend upon cross-border trade," he said.

Trump also threatened to cut funding to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

"Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries - taking advantage of U.S. for years!" Trump tweeted.