President Donald Trump met with border law enforcement officials on Thursday, calling attention to the importance of building a physical barrier on the Southern Border.

The president traveled with Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to McAllen, Texas.

President Donald Trump tours the U.S. border with Mexico at the Rio Grande on the southern border, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Border Patrol Acting Sector Chief Raul Ortiz briefed the president at the Rio Grande/Anzaldus Dam. Trump spoke with the border patrol agents and even autographed some of their badges. Officials displayed 500 pounds of illegal marijuana that was seized by federal agents as part of their patrols.

President Donald Trump speaks as tours the U.S. border with Mexico at the Rio Grande on the southern border, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in McAllen, Texas, as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, listens. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

The president argued that it was essential to fund the border wall as the ongoing partial government shutdown continues.

“It’s all common sense. Nancy and Chuck know that,” Trump said to reporters. “They’re not winning this argument. They’re losing the argument badly. They know it.”

A CBP helicopter flew overhead during the briefing as patrol agents saluted their Commander in Chief. Trump saluted back and the officials on the ground saluted as well.

President Donald Trump salutes as he tours the U.S. border with Mexico at the Rio Grande on the southern border, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

When asked by reporters if he was preparing to declare the border crisis a state of emergency he replied, “Perhaps.”

“Somebody would sue to stop it, but we would win that suit I believe very quickly,” he said.

Trump said he would be willing to come to an agreement with Senate Democrats on a deal, as long as it was “common sense” and dealt with the “catch and release” problem.