Texas AG Paxton Agrees With Trump: Border Wall Needed

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday praised President Donald Trump for the work he's already done to stem illegal immigration, and said he agrees with him on threats to shutting down the government if that's what it takes to get a wall built at the Mexican border.

"I have a positive reaction," Paxton told Fox News' "Happening Now" program, when asked about the president's threat to bring the government to the brink of a shutdown if that's what's needed to get Congress to agree to fund the border wall.

"The president cares about border security and obviously what he's doing is working," Paxton told the program. "Immigration issues are declining. We have less illegal immigration since he took office. I'm grateful that he's continuing to fight. I agree with him."

Paxton also said he does not know if Trump's comments were a bargaining tactic, but he does know that getting the wall built is something the president "really wants to get done."

"As to if it really gets done, I don't know if that matters," Paxton said. "What matters is we need to take the most respective route to eliminating illegal immigration."

Meanwhile, Paxton said he also cares about other agenda items of Trump's, which have gotten sidetracked — repealing Obamacare and tax reform.

But in Texas, statistics show that there have been numerous murders in his state and immigration reform is a vital concern.

"You talk to the victims and those families," the attorney general said. "It has a dramatic impact on the safety of my state. You're going to be juggling all kinds of issues as president, and sometimes I just want to keep those issues up front for the American public."

"We have a fence or wall at El Paso," Paxton said. "Before that went up, we had significant crime issues in El Paso. There are places where it's expected, but there are other places where more border security is needed or some type of technology would work. I do think in certain places, it is the most effective means for illegal crossings and crimes."

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