Ivanka Trump Ivana (Ivanka) Marie TrumpSpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report Trump, Biden vie for Minnesota Trump luxury properties have charged US government .1M since inauguration: report MORE on Wednesday thanked her father for signing an executive order that will keep families detained at the border together, marking her first public statement on the issue of family separation.

"Thank you @POTUS for taking critical action ending family separation at our border. Congress must now act + find a lasting solution that is consistent with our shared values;the same values that so many come here seeking as they endeavor to create a better life for their families," the president's eldest daughter tweeted.

Thank you @POTUS for taking critical action ending family separation at our border. Congress must now act + find a lasting solution that is consistent with our shared values;the same values that so many come here seeking as they endeavor to create a better life for their families — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 20, 2018

President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE reportedly told GOP lawmakers on Tuesday night that his daughter had expressed concern to him over the administration's practice of separating migrant children from their parents.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, Ivanka Trump issued no public comments on the matter before Wednesday.

During the signing on Wednesday, the president was asked if his daughter had shown him photos of children separated from their parents.

"Ivanka feels very strongly. My wife feels very strongly about it. I feel very strongly about it. I think anybody with a heart would feel very strongly about it," he responded.

"We don't like to see families separated," he added. "At the same time, we don’t want people coming into our country illegally."

Pres. Trump on ending family separation: "Ivanka feels very strongly, my wife feels very strongly about it, I feel very strongly about it. I think anybody with a heart would feel very strongly about it." https://t.co/qfpZFANWj9 pic.twitter.com/O8RxwUkmPF — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 20, 2018

The first lady's spokeswoman issued a statement over the weekend in which she said Melania Trump Melania TrumpTrump privately blamed Black Americans for lacking initiative: report The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Melania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' MORE "hates to see children separated from their families."

The White House faced mounting pressure as Democrats and Republicans alike spoke out against the policy, calling it "cruel" and "inhumane."

President Trump's decision to sign an executive order to keep families together marks a stark reversal after days of his administration defending the practice and claiming only Congress could address the matter.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office before signing the document that his “zero tolerance” policy against illegal border crossing will remain in place, but the order will allow children and their parents to remain together while in custody.