Former President Donald Trump recently asserted that Mexico indirectly contributed to funding the southern border wall by providing the United States with “thousands and thousands of soldiers” along the border. This statement comes in response to ongoing scrutiny over his 2016 campaign promise that Mexico would directly pay for the wall.
Background on Trump’s 2016 Campaign Promise
During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged that Mexico would financially support the construction of the southern border wall. However, in October 2023, he admitted that there was “no legal instrument” for Mexico to make direct payments for the wall.
Troop Contributions as Indirect Payment
In a recent interview with Univision Noticias, Trump elaborated on how Mexico indirectly contributed to the wall’s funding. He claimed that Mexico sent nearly 15,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2019, providing substantial support for border security during the wall’s construction.
Trump’s Explanation on Troop Contributions
According to Trump, the agreement involved Mexico supplying the United States with soldiers free of charge to help secure the border. He stated that there was a legal process allowing Mexico to contribute troops, whereas a direct financial payment for the wall was not legally viable.
“The reason is there was no legal process where Mexico can give us money to build a wall in the United States,” Trump explained. “But there was a legal process where they can give us soldiers.”
Equivalent Value of Troop Contributions
Trump further argued that the value of providing troops was “at least equivalent” to the amount Mexico would have spent if they had made direct payments for the border wall. He emphasized that the troops played a crucial role in protecting the United States during the wall’s construction.
Reiteration of Border Security as a Priority
The former president, known for his tough stance on border security, has made it a central theme of his political messaging for the 2024 election cycle. During a recent speech in Florida, Trump emphasized his commitment to addressing what he described as an “invasion” at the U.S. southern border with Mexico.
COMMENTS