Trump disputes report about border demands

President Trump on Wednesday disputed press reports that he wanted a border wall with spikes and moat filled with alligators or snakes at the U.S. southern border with Mexico. 

Trump tweeted that the press had “gone crazy” after The New York Times reported that he privately mused about placing an electrified border fence and moat at the southern border to crack down on illegal immigration.

{mosads}“Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border,” Trump tweeted. 

“I may be tough on Border Security, but not that tough. The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!”

Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border. I may be tough on Border Security, but not that tough. The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2019

The Times report published Tuesday also said that Trump suggested to aides that soldiers at the border shoot migrants in the legs in order to slow them, before being told it was not allowed.

Trump has made border security a key prong of his administration’s work. He campaigned in 2016 on building a 500-mile wall at the southern border with Mexico during his first term, a promise that often inspires cheers at his rallies.

Administration officials have acknowledged that a little more than 60 miles of border fence has been constructed since Trump took office. Still, the president and his advisers have recently predicted that at least 450 miles of border fence would be completed by the end of next year. 

Much of the newly constructed barrier has reportedly been erected in areas where old border fence already existed. 

Trump traveled to California in September to visit a portion of the wall being constructed along the southern border, boasting of the barrier’s effectiveness while emphasizing that illegal immigration remains a “tremendous national emergency.”

Trump tweeted earlier Wednesday that “massive sections” of the wall are being built. 

“It is going up rapidly, and built to the highest standards and specifications of the Border Patrol experts. It is actually an amazing structure! Our U.S. Military is doing a GREAT job,” Trump tweeted. 

Massive sections of The Wall are being built at our Southern Border. It is going up rapidly, and built to the highest standards and specifications of the Border Patrol experts. It is actually an amazing structure! Our U.S. Military is doing a GREAT job.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2019