Trump news: President says 'America must win' 5G technology race as migrant revenge plan emerges
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump said his administration is indeed “giving strong considerations” to placing detained migrants in sanctuary cities, citing unwillingness by Democrats to “change our very dangerous immigration laws,” sparking nationwide backlash.
The president’s response to claims the White House had proposed sending detainees to sanctuary cities twice in the last six months came hours after White House officials said the idea had been proposed but ultimately rejected.
Mr Trump doubled-down on the possibility while speaking at the White House, prompting mayors of “sanctuary cities” to dismiss the president’s claims.
During his White House appearance Friday, the president also discussed the nation’s plans for implementing 5G wireless network.
According to the president and the FCC, the US will have the largest number of 5G networks of any country by the end of the year, a race Mr Trump said America “must win”.
In addition to bringing faster data speeds, the wireless industry’s plans to invest millions into 5G networks would create 3m jobs and add “$500bn to our economy,” according to the president.
Also on Friday, reports emerged that the president told the head of Customs and Border Protection that he would pardon him if he were sent to jail for violating immigration law.
Citing two officials, CNN reported Mr Trump made the comments to CBP commissioner Kevin McAleenan during a visit to the border last week, claims the Department of Homeland Security has denied.
Ivanka Trump was also involved in controversy Friday after the president revealed in an interview with The Atlantic that he had considered nominating her for president of the World Bank because she is “very good with numbers”.
Follow events as they happened.
In a separate statement Friday, Pelsoi spokeswoman Ashley Etienne responded to the proposal, which would see immigrant detainees sent to sanctuary cities, including San Francisco.
"The extent of this Administration's cynicism and cruelty cannot be overstated," she said. "Using human beings - including little children - as pawns in their warped game to perpetuate fear and demonize immigrants is despicable, and in some cases, criminal.
"The American people have resoundingly rejected this Administration's toxic anti-immigrant policies, and Democrats will continue to advance immigration polices that keep us safe and honour our values."
President Trump is set to deliver remarks on 5G technology shortly.
According to a White House spokesman, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai will be joining the president.
Referring to 5G as a "big deal," the president said: "It's all about 5G now," before joking that at some point "we'll be talking about number six".
The president also said 5G is a "race America must win".
Following remarks from FCC chairman Mr Pai, who said the FCC will be extending high-speed broadband to "up to 4m homes and businesses in rural America," Ivanka took the floor to say a few words regarding 5G.
"5G is the future," she told the crowd.
5G is the next generation of wireless network, which will enable faster data speeds.
According to the president, by the end of the year, the US will have more 5G spectrum than any other country.
"The wireless industry plans to invest $275bn in 5G networks, creating 3m American jobs... and adding $500bn to our economy," Mr Trump said.
After concluding his remarks on 5G, Mr Trump confirmed the possibility his administration will send migrants to sanctuary cities throughout the US.
"We can give them an unlimited supply," he said of the proposal. "They are always saying 'we have open arms'. Let's see if they have open arms."
The president reiterated his administration's "strong consideration" of the proposal, which would reportedly occur after migrants had been held 20 days - the legal limit a person can be detained.
US mayors on Friday dismissed the president's threats, and said their cities would happily welcome immigrants.
"The city would be prepared to welcome these immigrants just as we have embraced our immigrant communities for decades," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in statement. "This White House plan demonstrates the utter contempt that the Trump Administration has for basic human dignity."
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney dismissed the president's threats
President Trump reportedly told the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, Kevin McAleenan, that he would grant him a pardon if he were sent to jail for blocking migrants from entering the US, senior administration officials told CNN.
The exchange reportedly occurred during Mr Trump's visit to the border at Calexico, California.
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