Trump resurfaces 2011 Obama tweet about taking on illegal immigration

President Trump resurfaced a 2011 tweet from former President Obama on Thursday as he tried to persuade lawmakers to provide funding for his U.S.-Mexico border wall.

As the partial government shutdown nears its first full week, Trump wrote “I totally agree!” and shared a tweet from Obama calling on the U.S. to solve the crisis of illegal immigration.

I totally agree! https://t.co/KO8E3bfWfn

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018

The original tweet from Obama’s account was sent during the 2011 State of the Union speech. In that speech, Obama called on the GOP-controlled Congress to work with Democrats to reform America’s immigration system.

{mosads}”I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. And I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows,” Obama said in that speech.

“I know that debate will be difficult. I know it will take time. But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort. And let’s stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be further enriching this nation,” he continued.

The Obama administration and the Republican Congress ultimately failed to reach a deal on immigration reform despite a bipartisan effort from the Senate’s Gang of Eight to produce a compromise bill.

Trump and Democrats are deadlocked over his demands for $5 billion in funding for a proposed border wall. The fight has led to a partial government shutdown that entered its sixth day on Thursday and will drag into next week. The Senate adjourned until Monday and House leaders have said they do not expect to vote this week.