President Donald Trump urged his supporters to get on television and radio to defend his plan to end the government shutdown during a conference call Wednesday.
The president addressed state and local leaders on a briefing call about border security Wednesday and offered tangible steps as to how they can support his efforts to end the shutdown, a source on the call told The Daily Caller. (RELATED: Trump Reaffirms Support For Border Wall In Conference Call)
Trump’s most recent proposal to reopen the government includes $5.7 billion for a physical barrier on the border, $800 million in humanitarian aid and a temporary extension of protections for DACA recipients and immigrants under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Democratic leadership has called the proposal a “nonstarter,” but the president encouraged those on the briefing call to publicly lobby for the wall and for the president’s proposals.
“You need to get on TV,” the president said, adding that they should also contact their representatives in Congress, call into radio shows and write opinion pieces for media outlets.
Members of the administration have been appearing on television in recent days to support the shutdown plan — press secretary Sarah Sanders has been interviewed on Fox News twice within 24 hours and deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley also appeared on Fox on Tuesday morning.
Trump’s request to community leaders comes as the Senate is set to vote on two bills that could potentially reopen the government.