President Donald Trump questioned Friday the timing of the migrant caravan flooding north to the United States border, just weeks before the congressional midterm elections.
“People are saying there is a lot of money being passed around so that this would normally hit just before the election,” Trump said.
The president commented on the issue after signing a memorandum in Arizona on water regulations.
Trump pointed to “information” being shared about how the caravan was organized.
“They got together in a certain way,” he hinted, asking the media to investigate.
“I hope you people are going to look into why this happened at this time,” Trump said.
He claimed that a “large percentage” of the migrant caravan that was organized in Honduras were “criminals” and would not be allowed into the United States.
“It’s not happening on my watch,” he vowed. “It’s not gonna happen.”
The group of about 4,000 migrants clashed with officials at the Mexico border, as some of them tore down a fence and crossed through, according to the Associated Press. Mexico officials have ordered an orderly entrance into the country. Trump seemed encouraged by Mexico’s actions.
“We appreciate very much what Mexico is doing,” he said. “As of this moment, I thank Mexico.”
But Trump said he was prepared to act if Mexico failed to stop the caravan.
“If that doesn’t work out, we’re calling up the military, not the guard, we’re calling up the military,” he said, “They’re not coming into this country. They might as well turn back.”