President Trump br Addresses the Nation br on Border Security Almost three br weeks into a partial br government shutdown, Trump called br for $5.7 billion to br fund the barrier. He reiterated his stance br that it would curb the br flow of illegal drugs br into the US, adding it was br necessary to "end" what br he referred to as "a br cycle of human suffering." Trump said it would be "paid br for indirectly by the br great new trade deal" his administration has br made with Mexico. He blamed the shutdown on br "one reason only": "because Democrats br will not fund border security." The president concluded br his speech by calling br on “every citizen” to “call Congress” br and tell them to br "secure our border.