Funding, immigration likely to top briefing agendapublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House
Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBCWe’ve got a couple of hours until Karoline Leavitt’s first press briefing.
But from my perspective here at the White House, it’s clear that two things will dominate today’s briefing, at least at the outset: the federal assistance pause, and immigration.
There are still many questions left to be answered about the pause in federal funding, such as what programmes it applies to, and what it will mean in the long-term for those with Medicare and Social Security benefits – although, for the moment, it seems as though they will not immediately be effected.
With regards to immigration, there are still many questions to be asked on the mechanics of the clampdown against illegal immigration.
I’d like to know, for example, how much resources have been dedicated to apprehending undocumented migrants, whether they have been diverted from other law enforcement duties – as some have suggested – and how many troops will ultimately be deployed to the border.
I’m also curious about what talks with Mexico have been like, particularly with regards to taking in third-country nationals. Mexico will, by necessity, play a key role in Trump’s mass deportation promises.
Stay with us for more updates.