‘It’s all very simple’: Trump weighs closing the southern border

Early yesterday morning, apropos of nothing, Donald Trump suggested on Twitter that he’s thinking about closing the U.S./Mexico border.

“Mexico is doing NOTHING to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants to our Country,” the president wrote. “They are all talk and no action. Likewise, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have taken our money for years, and do Nothing. The Dems don’t care, such BAD laws. May close the Southern Border!”

The point about the Central American countries contradicted Trump’s own Homeland Security secretary – Trump has similarly contradicted Vice President Mike Pence on the same assertion – but it was the Republican’s reference to closing the southern border that stood out as especially important.

Indeed, at a campaign rally in Michigan last night, Trump talked up the idea again. “I am telling you right now,” he said, “we will close the damn border.” The president added:

“[I]f we close the border, that means we’re not taking those cars into our country. And what does that mean? That means you’re gonna make more cars right here in the good old U.S.A.

“Very simple. It’s all very simple. People try and make it too complicated. It’s all very simple.”

It’s not all simple. Closing the border between the United States and Mexico would be extraordinarily complicated, and would have dramatic effects on trade and the economy.

Chances are, someone in the White House has told the president about this, which is why he complained about “people” who make this issue “too complicated” for him. In effect, Trump seems to like the idea of closing the border, and doesn’t want to be bothered by pesky details.

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