The host of "A Closer Look" criticizes President Trump's actions and behavior, particularly regarding immigration and his tax returns. Trump visited the border and touted a section of the wall, inventing the term "anti-climb." He also expressed admiration for border officials, describing them as "central casting." The host mocks Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Mexico and his claim that he will release his tax returns after an audit, which he has been saying for years.
Trump has been resisting attempts to subpoena his tax returns, and his acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, stated that Democrats would never see them. The host argues that Trump's actions demonstrate that he sees himself as above the law. The segment also touches on Trump's policy of separating migrant families and his ousting of Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
The host concludes that Trump becomes more lawless when threatened politically, painting immigrants as criminals while refusing to show his tax returns. The segment ends with the host quoting Trump's own words, calling the whole thing a "scam."
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. President Trump toured the border on Friday to make the case for a national emergency.
2. Trump touted a section of the border wall that was planned during the Obama administration.
3. Trump has been furious at Mexico for supposedly allowing migrants to come to the U.S. seeking asylum.
4. Trump threatened to close the border completely, but backed off and claimed he was giving Mexico a one-year warning before imposing tariffs on Mexican imports.
5. Trump has promised to release his tax returns, but has repeatedly used the excuse that he is under audit.
6. Trump is the first President in 40 years not to release his tax returns.
7. Democrats have subpoenaed Trump's tax returns, but Trump has warned that he will resist attempts to obtain them.
8. Trump's Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that Democrats would never get Trump's tax returns, no matter what the law says.
9. Trump has been critical of the asylum process, calling it a "scam".
10. Trump has blasted a court case called "Reno V. Flores", which protects migrant children from being held indefinitely in custody.
11. Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, was ousted for not being tough enough on immigration.
12. Nielsen oversaw and defended the administration's policy of separating migrant families.
13. Trump has repeatedly used the phrase "central casting" to describe the appearance of his border officials.
14. Trump has been accused of turning everyone he works with into "Tarzan".