U.S. President Donald Trump took his case for U.S.-Mexico border wall funding to prime-time television Tuesday night, as he looked to convince Americans that border security — amid an influx of Central American migrants — must be strengthened before a partial government shutdown can be ended.
Scroll down for archived live blog coverage of Trump’s remarks and the reaction.
READ MORE: Democrats say U.S. doesn’t govern by ‘temper tantrum’ after Donald Trump makes case for wall on TV
Trump’s speech was followed by a rebuttal from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Pelosi accused Trump of using fear over facts, while Schumer implored the president to end the shutdown immediately and re-open government.
WATCH: Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer respond to Trump’s presidential address
The situation at the border was dubbed a “humanitarian and national security crisis” by Trump in a Monday tweet announcing his speech.
Trump did not follow through on his recent threats to declare a national emergency that would allow him to build the wall without Congressional approval.
— With files from the Associated Press
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