Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) on Sunday appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" to discuss the border wall. According to Corker, the fighting taking place between the Republicans and Democrats took place on purpose.
“This is a purposely contrived fight. At the end of the day, no matter who wins our borders are still going to be insecure,” Corker said. “Now the government is shut down over what ultimately is going to be $2 billion. This is a made-up fight so the president can look like he’s fighting but even if he wins, our borders are going to be insecure."
According to the Senator, a few billion spent on border security will make little difference in the end. He also reminded the audience about previous border spending and claimed President Donald Trump would have taken the deal if he truly cared about border security.
“In 2013, a border security amendment passed with 69 votes where Republicans [were] in the minority — $46 billion to secure our border. Our borders would have been secure,” Corker explained. “The president could have received $25 billion in border security, just by dealing with the Dreamers. Which by the way, most Republicans want to deal with the Dreamers."
Democrats were willing to give Trump his funding for the border wall if the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was reauthorized.
After the interview, Trump took to Twitter to slam Corker:
Senator Bob Corker just stated that, “I’m so priveledged to serve in the Senate for twelve years, and that’s what I told the people of our state that’s what I’d do, serve for two terms.” But that is Not True - wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn’t endorse him.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2018
And Corker quickly fired back.
Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall... #AlertTheDaycareStaff https://t.co/4LwrkrSFFr
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 23, 2018