Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump on Friday denied describing certain nations as “shithole countries” during a meeting in which he rejected a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
He also denied demanding that Haitians be removed from negotiations about protected status for people from certain countries.
“The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA!” Trump tweeted.
White House spokesperson Raj Shah did not deny the “shithole” remark on Thursday evening, but instead said in a statement that Trump “is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.”
Trump later tweeted Friday morning that he “Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said ‘take them out.’ Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!”
But Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, a key negotiator in DACA talks who was present at the meeting, told reporters he had not seen a single news report about the President’s words that was false.
“I’ve not read one of them that’s inaccurate,” Durbin said. “He said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly.”
DACA protects hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation.
Trump on Thursday rejected a pitch from a bipartisan team of senators on a compromise immigration deal to protect DACA participants while increasing border security.
“Why do we want all these people from ‘shithole countries’ coming here?” Trump told senators in the Oval Office, according to a source briefed on the meeting, the comments from which were first reported by The Washington Post.
Tweets threaten deal
Trump’s denial came among a series of other tweets in which he defended his immigration stance.
“The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime…..,” Trump tweeted.
He continued: “….countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund….
“….Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten ‘shutdown,’ but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
He also said: “Sadly, Democrats want to stop paying our troops and government workers in order to give a sweetheart deal, not a fair deal, for DACA. Take care of our Military, and our Country, FIRST!”
The tweets suggest that Trump is interested in a system that would only accept individuals from certain countries and backgrounds in exchange for a DACA deal — as well as a much more substantial border investment than one year of funding and technology upgrades the lawmakers had presented.
Democrats have made clear they would not consider some of the suggestions and the demands risk exacerbating already tense talks as both sides are entrenched in negotiating position.
While some Republicans hope to gain leverage by dragging out negotiations and increase the risk that DACA recipients could lose status and even be deported, advocates have made clear to Democrats they should feel empowered to reject a deal that benefits DACA immigrants at the expense of scores of others and their families.
Trump’s agreement has always been essential to any immigration deal. Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, reiterated on Thursday after the White House meeting that a deal would only move for a vote with a clear message from the President that he would sign it.
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/12/politics/donald-trump-tweet-daca-rejection/index.html
So Trump denies shithole comment. If he didn’t say it, then who Did? More importantly, why would they make that up? Something sure to inflame racial tensions and immigration policy debates. I wonder who would benefit from such a thing? By the way, if he did say it I really couldn’t care less.
How many times do we have to read “according to a source” from WaPo and every time it’s debunked. This source wasn’t even there but just briefed by Democrats. Call me when the shooting starts.
I didn’t say that!…… I’m sure I said “Stinking Shithole”
“The Dems will threaten ‘shutdown,’ but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most.”
What’s a murdering empire without it’s military?
America, the war machine of the NWO.
Pathetic!
Everyone’s afraid of the truth
Even the dumb sob that said it
Classic
In Order To quell unpopular opinions for his alleged statement.
President Trump signed executive order 143368 today.
That declares it unlawful to call Haiti a Shee it whole.
It also declares that the new capital of Israel will be moved from Jerusalem to Port-au-Prince.
Too bad he didn’t have the balls to say it outright and defend his position. I might have given him a one-handed sitting ovation for flipping off the snowflakes and communists. As it is, the gubermint will NEVER do anything to fix ANY real problem, being that it was they themselves who created all of them deliberately. The type of creatures they have waved in and want to wave in in the future ARE from shithole countries, and they are bringing their infestations, diseases and immoral thinking right into the midst of every town and hamlet in our once-great nation. I unapologetically say: Ship every illegal alien back to their country of origin, with a warning that if they are ever discovered here again, they will be immediately and summarily executed.
Akin to the argument surrounding the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, does it matter if he said it or not? It’s still TRUE and smacking you square in the boo boo!
“The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used.”
The language used was the ‘infinitely malleable’ kind.