Trump Ignores The Real Issues With Calexico Photo Op

Trump’s visit to the border in Calexico today is nothing more than another photo opportunity to try and build nonexistent support for his unnecessary and ineffective border wall. Instead of doing anything to address the issues that matter most to the people of Calexico, Trump is actually making things worse, and then plans to head off to a high-dollar fundraiser in Beverly Hills (and maybe his own golf course).

Calexico wants Trump’s help solving a number of local issues… but the border isn’t one of them.

Washington Post: “Instead of focusing on the fence and the border, Dale said he would like to take the president to see the New River — in Spanish, the Rio Nuevo — which runs north out of Mexicali and into Calexico, close to the fence. It is heavily polluted with sewage and urban and agricultural runoff, and it flows into the Salton Sea. He also brought up air pollution that blows north from Mexico, largely car and factory emissions.”

Washington Post: “The president’s visit has some residents feeling confused, skeptical, hopeful. ‘I don’t know why he’s coming, to be honest,’ said Carlos Robles, who works in an income tax office. ‘I feel like he’s just going to come and agitate the whole ‘caravan is coming.’ That’s a problem on the other side, but not here. Here there’s different problems,’ he said. Among them: homelessness, drugs and property crime, he said.”

Border cities like Calexico have been hurt by Trump’s antics and fearmongering.

Washington Post: “Is the border dangerous — or as Trump contends, ‘very dangerous’? … If you are an American concerned about safety, your best statistical bet is to live close to the border. The crime rates in U.S. border counties are lower than the average for similarly sized inland counties, with two exceptions out of 23 total, according to an upcoming analysis by the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank. ‘There is no doubt, the U.S. side [of the border] is a very safe place,’ said Christopher Wilson, deputy director of the institute.”

KPBS: “President Trump’s threats to close the border have slowed cross-border commerce at the country’s busiest port of entry, despite his comments Thursday indicating he intended to give Mexico a year to stop the flow of migrants to the U.S. Local business leaders fear the effect could be long-term. ‘It’s actually worse to have this threat renewed for a year versus resolving it now,’ said Paola Avila, vice president of international business affairs for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. ‘I consider it very detrimental.’”

Rather than sticking around to listen to the people of Calexico, Trump is set to head to L.A. for a high-dollar fundraiser, and maybe his golf course, too.

CNBC: “On Friday, Trump is expected to be in the LA area for a fundraiser where dinner is $15,000 per person or $50,000 for the chance to get a picture with the president. There’s also $150,000 tickets for those with deep pockets to be part of the roundtable at the private event, NBC Los Angeles reported Tuesday.”

Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold: “Update: @realDonaldTrump’s LA club seems closed to outsiders today, not taking reservations for dinner or golf. Looks like he’s visiting.”