Conservative political commentator and former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) said on Sunday that President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's threat to close the U.S.-Mexico border is a "bad idea."

“I think the idea of closing the border is a bad idea. I understand why the president’s doing it. He’s upset with Mexico. He has every reason to be upset with Mexico," Santorum said during a roundtable discussion on CNN's "State of the Union."

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Santorum added that Mexico "could solve this problem" at the border, arguing that it isn't doing enough to stop Central American migrants from approaching the U.S.

"[Trump] sort of flails and makes what I think are not particularly helpful charges against Mexico. But the core of the problem is Mexico and he needs to go after them," Santorum said.

Trump said Friday that “there’s a very good likelihood” he will close the entire southern border this week, adding that Mexico is "going to have to do something, otherwise I’m closing the border."

"I’ll just close the border. And with a deficit like we have with Mexico and have had for many years, closing the border would be a profit-making operation. When you close the border also you will stop a lot of the drugs from coming in," he said.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwaySpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report George and Kellyanne Conway honor Ginsburg Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE said Sunday on "Fox News Sunday" that Trump's threat to close the border "certainly isn't a bluff."