Sen. Ron Johnson dismissed the notion Thursday that President Trump would be breaking a campaign promise if he doesn’t build a border wall along the entire U.S. border, saying he never took that pledge literally.
“I have always thought the wall was a metaphor for securing the border, and I think it has just been incredibly important that this president, finally we have an administration that has committed themselves to securing the border in whatever shape and form that takes,” Mr. Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, said on CNN’s “New Day.”
In testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly told lawmakers that he expects there will be gaps in the Trump administration’s proposed border wall.
“It’s unlikely we will build a wall or physical barrier from sea to shining sea,” Mr. Kelly said.
Mr. Johnson said Mr. Kelly’s comments were not out of sync with Mr. Trump’s signature campaign pledge to build a permanent border wall.
“Yes, we do need better barriers, we need better fencing, we have had border patrol deputies and chiefs tell us fencing works we need more of it, but I think we are going to do this in a thoughtful manner,” Mr. Johnson said, predicting securing the power will be a mix of new barriers, better technology and beefed up manpower along the border.
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump’s wall won’t cover entire southwest border: DHS secretary
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.