Biden urges Trump to support border deal: 'Join me or I'll join you'

President Joe Biden on Thursday urged former President Donald Trump to support a bipartisan border security bill and to persuade Republican detractors to approve reform during a visit to the southern border.

Biden and Trump both visited the southern border on Thursday, with Trump visiting Eagle Pass, Texas, and Biden heading to Brownsville, Texas. Trump's visit saw the former president lament the surge in illegal crossings and highlight the crimes committed by illegal aliens and excoriated the Biden administration for the situation.

Biden, for his part, called on Trump to lend his voice to his own efforts to reform border security.

"I understand my predecessor is in Eagle Pass today," Biden said. "So, here's what I would say to Mr. Trump: Set a plain policy position. Instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me or I'll join you in telling the Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill. We can do it together."

"You know and I know it's the toughest, most efficient, most effective border security bill this country's ever seen," Biden went on. "So, instead of playing politics with the issue, why don't we just get together and get it done?"

President Biden to Donald Trump: "Join me or I'll join you in telling the Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill. We can do it together....So, instead of playing politics, why don't we just get together and get it done." pic.twitter.com/gYLRxoXoOJ

— CSPAN (@cspan) February 29, 2024

Earlier this year, the Senate unveiled bipartisan legislation to pair foreign aid funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with border security reforms. The bill attracted scrutiny from border hawks, who deemed the provisions insufficient to address the border crisis, while Trump himself called the plan "horrendous."

In the face of Republican opposition, the Senate ultimately approved only the foreign aid package, which has languished in the House.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.