Caroline Leavitt (White House press secretary / clips)

The president and the vice president and this team are more than happy to have that conversation with Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

But it cannot happen right now.

Right now, we need to reopen the United States federal government.

I would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration.

There was, however,

significant inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the previous administration as they were being trafficked and raped and beaten and in many cases killed over our United States southern border.

You also look at the inhumane treatment at the hands of some of these illegal immigrants that took place

under the previous administration as well.

Lake and Riley comes to mind a beautiful American citizen who was killed at the hands of an illegal.

Unfortunately, because the Democrats shut down the government, the president has directed his cabinet and the Office of Management and Budget is working with agencies across the board to identify where cuts can be made.

And we believe that layoffs are imminent.

They are unfortunately a consequence of this government shutdown.