The Latest: Trump tells farmers that wall won't hurt them President Donald Trump is assuring farmers that they will still be able to get the help they need if he builds a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border

WASHINGTON -- The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local):

2:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is seeking to assure farmers that they will still be able to get the help they need if he builds a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump has used most of his speech Monday at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th convention in New Orleans to justify his fight with congressional Democrats over the border wall he promised to build. Trump says a wall is needed to stem illegal immigration and crime. Democrats disagree and say a wall would waste money and not solve the problem.

Trump says he understands that farmers need people to help with harvests. He says he'll make it easier for immigrants to enter the country to work on farms.

Says Trump: "It's going to be easier for them to get in."

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12:30 p.m.

Farmers are gathering in New Orleans to hear from President Donald Trump as their businesses feel the effects of his trade policies and the partial government shutdown.

Richard Musel of Bennington, Nebraska, a corn and soybean farmer, describes business as "marginal" but says he doesn't blame Trump.

Musel says Trump has been good to farmers and had no choice but to get tough with China.

Lemuel and Shelby Ricks grow cotton, soybeans, wheat and peanuts on their farm in Conway, North Carolina. They say they've been hurt by low commodity prices and the shutdown. They can't apply for financial aid the federal government is giving farmers hurt by Trump's trade policies because of the shutdown.

The Rickses say they voted for Trump in 2016 and will again in 2020.

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11:45 a.m.

President Donald Trump is on his way to Louisiana after a mechanical issue delayed Air Force One's departure from Washington.

Trump is traveling to New Orleans on Monday to address the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th annual convention.

The White House says the Air Force One maintenance crew needed to reset an indicator light on the customized Boeing 747 that was being used for the trip.

Trump remained aboard the aircraft during the delay. Air Force One was airborne after about a half hour.

After he returns to Washington, Trump will welcome the NCAA football champion Clemson Tigers to the White House.