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Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on Saturday admitted that American taxpayers are going to have to pick up the tab for President Donald Trump's border wall between the United States and Mexico.
Mulvaney told ABC's Jonathan Karl he believes the administration is in a "good place in terms of getting the wall built" (they are not, as Trump shut down the government over this issue) and "having Mexico participated in our border security."
Karl reminded Mulvaney: "But none of that is Mexico paying for the wall."
Mulvaney's response further muddied the waters.
"Technically, you and I both know that it cannot work exactly like that," Mulvaney said. “I can't spend any money at the office of Management and Budget. The Department of Homeland Security can’t actually spend money from Mexico. We have to get it from the Treasury.”
Watch below:
Mick Mulvaney: We're in a "good place" on getting wall built and having Mexico "participate" in border security.… https://t.co/xR1lqSDdry— This Week (@This Week) 1545573350.0
Karl was not going to let Mulvaney off the hook so easily.
“Mexico was going to pay for this wall from day one,” Karl said. “The day he announced he was running for president [Trump said] 'I will build a great on our southern border. I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.' Mark his words. Now, the president has forced a government shutdown because he’s insisting that American taxpayers pay for that wall. What gives?”
Mexico is never going to pay for Trump's wall. Ever.
We knew this was coming.
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Yes. Those of us who voted for HRC know that. You may have to educate Trumpsters....— ginaw1968 (@ginaw1968) 1545574047.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Ya think, Mick? Those of us who pay attention always knew that, but Trump knew his base was… https://t.co/xqWRVvbeP7— Carol Rogers (@Carol Rogers) 1545596786.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Hey Mick, that’s what the prez campaigned on — that Mexico would pay. And his base ACTUALLY believrd him.— Ari (@Ari) 1545578357.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Anyone watching (non-Fox) Sunday news shows already knew that DJT’s “Mexico will pay for it”… https://t.co/LNUA8HzTPh— Blake Wilcox (@Blake Wilcox) 1545581229.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Trump promised, Trump can't deliver, Trump Resign. Period.— Dingdangdong (@Dingdangdong) 1545638409.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl No. Mulvaney, Trump made it clear when he promised M would pat for the wall. No slimey acco… https://t.co/TCe6TsMKTL— Wade Woodworker (@Wade Woodworker) 1545575773.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Ya think, Mick? Those of us who pay attention always knew that, but Trump knew his base was… https://t.co/xqWRVvbeP7— Carol Rogers (@Carol Rogers) 1545596786.0
On Friday, Trump oversaw his third government shutdown in two years when he refused to sign a bipartisan continuing resolution that included border security funding but stopped short of earmarking money for a wall.
Two weeks ago, Trump said he would "be proud to shut down the government over border security" and that he would take the blame.
Now, with an incoming Democratic House and dwindling political capital, Trump is refusing to budge.
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl You know why I like Twitter? Because BS for some reason is a lot easier to read than listen to.— Dawn (@Dawn) 1545573617.0
And Twitter is on to him.
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Again, these folks are working to strengthen Russia and position China to fill voids in count… https://t.co/QKQ3b6hJ7M— Kalvin Bennett (@Kalvin Bennett) 1545574717.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Technically? Technically? Thanks, Mulvaney, for clearing that up for us. Funny how it sounds… https://t.co/WkDwVznGvd— Ro Nance (@Ro Nance) 1545594935.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Technically that is a lie no matter how you spin it @MickMulvaneyOMB— Leslie Fox (@Leslie Fox) 1545591911.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Really, so they can agree on trade deals, but the US will not let them fund The Wall. Nice try Mick.— Frank McCarney (@Frank McCarney) 1545574410.0
Mulvaney's support for the wall is new. During the campaign, Mulvaney said a border wall would be pointless.
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Mick Mulvaney, Trump's new White House chief of staff, said during the campaign that Trump's… https://t.co/rdYlO0CVha— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@☇RiotWomenn☇) 1545576937.0
But not anymore.
@ThisWeekABC @JamesJNani @jonkarl He’s a little Gollum.— Gordon G. Forbes 🇺🇸🗽🏳️🌈🌊 (@Gordon G. Forbes 🇺🇸🗽🏳️🌈🌊) 1545576283.0
@ThisWeekABC @jonkarl Then maybe you should tell your boss that.— Girlfriends & Grey Matter (@Girlfriends & Grey Matter) 1545583610.0
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urged Trump over the weekend to "abandon the wall" if he wants to reopen the government. It is likely the government will remain shut down until the new Congress is sworn in on January 3.