Trent Lott, former Senate Majority Leader, blamed the shutdown for a lack of leadership from Washington, both the presidency and Congress. Lott spoke to Mississippi Today in the glass-paneled conference room of his D.C. lobbying company hours before Trump made a prime-time Oval Office address in which he accused Democrats of causing shutdown by refusing to pay $5.7 billion for a border fence. Lott said to Mississippi Today that it was all “bullshit” on Tuesday. We need security. While we need to control the border now, it’s all about symbolism. Democrats don’t have one dollar to build a wall. (Republicans claim) “We’re being infiltrated, we’ve got the wall,” said Trump. The federal government was partially shut down on Dec. 22. This affected nine federal departments as well as dozens of agencies. Trump made his case before a national television audience, saying that the U.S. was in the midst a “humanitarian crises” and demanding that Democrats fund a border wall as well as other security measures. Trump stated from the Oval Office that “the federal government is still shut down for one and one only because Democrats won’t fund border security.” My administration is doing all it can to assist those affected by this situation. The only way to solve the problem is for Democrats not to pass a spending bill to defend our borders and reopen the government.” Lott suggested that Republicans offer Democrats a deal with Democrats to reform DACA, an Obama-era program which the Trump administration tried to end. This program allows illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. as children. Trump suggested that Democrats negotiate with the White House to reduce the cost of border security. Lott stated that when you are one of 100 senators, you don’t get 100 per cent of what you want. You have to get to know people. It is important to test people. It is important to test people. Reagan said that if you give me 60% of any item, I will take it and then I’ll return to try and get more. With the exception of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and others, all members of Mississippi’s congressional delegation are in complete agreement with Trump. Thompson, Mississippi’s lone Democrat, was asked Thursday about Trump’s request for border security funding. He is also chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee which oversees federal immigration agencies. Thompson stated that “besides what the president’s terrible policies have caused, there simply is NO emergency at the frontier.” Thompson stated that a wall is not the answer to the tragedy and crime he has described. He doesn’t believe a wall can stop illegal drug flows. They are overwhelmingly facilitated through legal ports. Walls are ineffective and wasteful of taxpayer money. Tonight, I don’t see any indication that the president is open to negotiations in good faith. He needs to realize the damage he has caused and work with Democrats to reopen government.” Mississippi’s congressional Republicans however insist that the wall is necessary in order to deal with illegal immigration. Trump claimed that migrants brought illegal drugs over the U.S. border. However, most drugs are seized at legal entry points according to a Trump Administration Report. The American people are tired of Washington’s inability to act and porous borders. National security is border security. It is our responsibility to protect the American people first, and Democrats seem to have forgotten this responsibility. In an email to Mississippi Today, Steven Palazzo stated that there is a “national emergency at our border.” “The fact of the matter is that there has been an influx of illegal immigrants, drugs at our frontier and it must be fixed by funding a wall first,” Rep. Steven Palazzo said in an email to Mississippi Today. Wicker stated that it was unfortunate that Democrats refused to work with Republicans in finding a solution. Two new members of Congress from Mississippi, Senator Cindy Hyde Smith and Rep. Michael Guest said Trump’s proposal for a wall is similar to previous moves used by previous administrations to secure the southern frontier. Lott said, however that while leaders are focused on winning partisan battles, they have missed opportunities to strengthen the nation’s immigration policies. Lott stated, “I worry about where we’re at the moment.” It’s not worth reliving the past and worrying about where you are now. You need to figure out how to move on from this. It’s not clear how many people are considering that.” Correction: An earlier version incorrectly stated the date of the partial shutdown of the federal government. It was actually Dec. 22, not Dec. 20, To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.