Rep. Tom Malinowski Condemns Trump's Border Wall Speech

New Jersey Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-7) is fighting back against President Donald Trump's border-wall speech on Tuesday night, calling it "recklessly dishonest."

"There is no humanitarian crisis at the border except for the one created by his own policy of detaining families," Malinowski said.

President Trump made his case for erecting a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling the situation a national security and humanitarian crisis. Trump's desire for a border wall has forced a government shutdown that has now entered its third week, or 19 days.

Trump has said in tweets and other public statements that along with illegal immigration, a concrete wall or steel fence along the Southern Border will stem the flow of drugs and criminals into the United States, as well as slow human trafficking.

Despite the president's claims Malinowski noted that people are still seeking refuge in the United States, which "has overwhelmed detention facilities and the asylum system."

"There is no threat to our safety except for the one created by the president’s shutdown of the government, which has weakened security at airports and the border, Malinowski said. "We must better secure the border, but that can be done with more people and technology, using funds the Congress has provided but that the president has refused to spend."

He also added, "We do not need to build a monument to the president’s ego that anyone with a ladder could get over and that would make America look fearful and foolish."

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also delivered the Democratic response to Trump's speech.

You can watch both speeches below:

(Image via Getty Images News)

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