Concrete wall plan never abandoned, says Trump

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied abandoning his plan for a "concrete wall" along the border with Mexico and said that part of the proposed barrier will be 'see-through'.

"An all concrete Wall was NEVER ABANDONED, as has been reported by the media, he tweeted after his outgoing chief of staff Gen (rtd) John Kelly said the idea of the concrete wall was abandoned very early in the Trump Administration.

"Some areas (of the wall) will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides). Makes sense to me!" Trump tweeted.

 

Trump has been seeking a USD5 billion in Congressional funding for the wall, which he believes is essential to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the US.

The opposition Democratic party has opposed such a funding and blocked its passage from the Congress. The stalemate has resulted in a partial federal government shutdown for more than a week now.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said that the party would vote for a responsible end to government shutdown this week.

The Democratic party enjoys a majority in the US House of Representatives. Pelosi is the Speaker designate to the House of Representatives.

The ruling Republican Party enjoys majority (53) in the 100-member Senate, but is seven seat short of the 60 votes required for the passage of some of the key legislations.

Trump has said that he will not pass the spending bill which does not has provisions for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

"I campaigned on Border Security, which you cannot have without a strong and powerful Wall. Our Southern Border has long been an 'Open Wound,' where drugs, criminals (including human traffickers) and illegals would pour into our Country. Dems should get back here an fix now! Trump said.

Trump cancelled his planned vacation to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and stayed at the White House throughout Christmas and New Year holidays.