President Trump threatened to close the southern border Monday and said building the wall would end up saving taxpayers money.

“We would save Billions of Dollars if the Democrats would give us the votes to build the Wall,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Either way, people will NOT be allowed into our Country illegally! We will close the entire Southern Border if necessary. Also, STOP THE DRUGS!”

Congress and the White House are facing a deadline Friday for funding parts of the federal government, although an extension of a week or two in the deadline is likely. Still unresolved is Mr. Trump’s request for more money to build the wall.

The president also referred to his $716 billion defense budget as “crazy,” saying he hopes to save money on national security needs later on by negotiating nuclear arms reductions with Russia and China.

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