Trump doubles down on immigration restrictionism in NRA speech


President Trump returned to a few of his more vintage talking points Friday.
In a speech at the National Rifle Association's annual conference in Dallas, Trump echoed a few of his favorite claims, bragged about his performance in office, and looked ahead to the midterm elections.
In calling for stricter immigration laws in an attempt to crack down on gang violence, Trump referenced the speech he made in 2015 when he announced his candidacy for president. Trump said that Central American countries are "sending up" their "worst" people, many of whom are "savage gang members."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Remember in my opening speech, I got criticized for it. Remember? Well, guess what. They're not sending their finest," Trump said Friday.
In Trump's very first campaign speech in 2015, he sparked anger by claiming that Mexico was "not sending their best," rather, sending people who cause problems for the U.S. "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people," he said at the time. Trump said Friday that he'd been proven right since then, doubling down on the claim that strict immigration policies and a border wall were necessary to keep Americans safe.
Trump covered many of his favorite topics in the wide-ranging speech, including a push to arm teachers to protect students from school shooters, an accusation that the Russia investigation is a "witch hunt," and an attack on Democrats who oppose his policies. He called on viewers to vote Democrats out in the midterm elections, warning voters not to become "complacent." Read more at CNN.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants