Politics - News Analysis

Trump Snaps at CNN Reporter Who Asked Why His Intel Chiefs Don’t Think Border is a National Emergency

Donald Trump got visibly annoyed and snapped at a reporter when asked whether his intelligence officials share the same opinion that he does about the border being a national emergency.

CNN’s Pamela Brown asked Trump if he spoke to the officials following their testimony to Congress, which the president said he did.

“I did and they said [their comments] were totally taken out of context,” Trump said.

He added that the officials claimed reports that they disagreed with him were fake news, and suggested that the reporter should call the intel officials.

Brown interrupted to say that the officials testified before Congress and were recorded on television saying something completely different.

“Excuse me, excuse me!” an irritated Trump said. He went on to tell Brown they were there to talk about China.

Trump said that the assessment by intelligence chiefs about border security doesn’t mean anything because “we need a wall.”

“But they didn’t bring it up as part of the national security assessment,” the reporter said.

“Next,” Trump said pointing to someone else.

WATCH:

Earlier Thursday Trump claimed the border was so bad that Nancy Pelosi would soon be “begging” him for a wall.

Citing what he said is a threat posed by a new migrant caravan making its way toward the U.S., Trump claimed that “Nancy Pelosi will be begging for a wall.”

Trump’s comments come after Pelosi said earlier Thursday that Democrats remain adamantly opposed to wall funding, but could provide money for new fencing and other barriers in a spending bill.

“There’s not going to be any wall money in the legislation,” Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing in the Capitol. “However, if they have some suggestions about certain localities where technology, some infrastructure is appropriate, … that’s part of the negotiation.”

Trump has cast doubt on bipartisan spending talks, arguing earlier in the day that Republicans were “wasting their time” by engaging with Democrats who oppose wall funding.

While Trump has previously said he would be open to calling structures along the border “steel slats” or a “barrier,” he said Thursday he would return to demanding a wall.

“Let’s just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL!” Trump tweeted.

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