U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s threat to shut down the government to get funding for a border wall between the United States and Mexico is a poor idea.
“We don’t need a government shutdown. That never ends well,” Flake told Fox News.
“We don’t save money doing it. With regard to border security, I think the president and all of us share the same goal to have a secure border.”
Trump made the threat during his visit in Phoenix on Tuesday. He blamed “obstructionist Democrats” for blocking the wall and said the shutdown may be the motivation they need to start making progress.
“If we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall,” he said.
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Flake said the administration should take a step back and consider the best way to make the border safe, not carry through on a campaign talking point.
“To get a secure border, that’s the goal, not to fulfill a campaign promise of a wall that doesn’t make sense in some areas, certainly Arizona,” he said.