U.S President Trump Lays Out His Case in a Live Televised Address for a Southern Border Wall

U.S President Donald Trump has just completed a live televised National Address, where he spoke towards what he calls "the humanitarian and national security crisis on the U.S southern border."

The speech was given in light of the partial government shutdown in the U.S, and the dispute between Congress and Trump on the allocation of funds for the construction of a wall on the U.S southern border.

Trump has stated on several occasions that he could declare a state of national emergency that would allow the building of the wall without the approval of Congress. However during this evening's address he declined to do so.

Trump is seeking US$5.7bn to fund the construction of his southern border wall.

He blamed an upsurge in crimes in the U.S on undocumented immigrants during his live address.

The President stated; "The wall will also be paid for indirectly by the great new trade deal we have made with Mexico."

Many analysts will be pouring over Trump's speech for factual accuracy, such as with the claims of the new U.S Mexico Trade deal paying for the wall in the long term.

Trump blamed the Democrats for the partial government shutdown, as he also stated in his speech that; "The government remains shut down for one reason and one reason only: the Democrats will not fund border security."  

Democrats, in response to Trump's assertions, have given their support for border security. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her response highlighted that her side supports use of technology and other such measures to support border security.

Trump also stated in his presentation that he wishes to once again begin speaking to the Democrats on reopening the government. 

"This situation could be resolved in a 45 minute meeting," The President stated in his live address.