[ti:NY Times: Trump Wanted a Snake-Filled Waterway at Mexican Border]
[by:www.21voa.com]
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[00:00.04]A New York Times report says that the American president has suggested unusual,
[00:07.45]and even illegal, methods for preventing illegal immigration at the southern border.
[00:15.60]Among Donald Trump's reported proposals was a waterway along the U.S. border with Mexico
[00:24.12]that could be filled with dangerous animals like alligators and snakes.
[00:31.64]The newspaper also says the president suggested that American soldiers
[00:37.65]shoot migrants in the legs if they try to enter the US.
[00:44.44]Members of the president's staff reportedly advised the president that such acts would be illegal.
[00:52.96]The article was adapted from a new book by two New York Times reporters,
[00:58.99]called "Border Wars: Inside Trump's Assault on Immigration."
[01:06.48]The Times says it based its story on interviews with more than 10 White House officials.
[01:15.00]Those officials met with Trump to discuss ways to stop illegal migration from Central America.
[01:24.64]The story centers on a meeting in March at the White House.
[01:30.08]During the meeting, Trump ordered the closure
[01:33.78]of the 3,200-kilometer long border with Mexico by the middle of the following day.
[01:43.84]White House aides and advisors, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner
[01:49.34]and former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, tried to talk the president out of it.
[01:58.40]Trump is reported as shouting to those in attendance,
[02:02.48]"You're making me look like an idiot...I ran on this. It's my issue."
[02:09.28]As a presidential candidate, Trump promised to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
[02:17.92]The Times reports it took almost a week for aides to talk him out of the idea,
[02:24.38]saying it would be economically destructive.
[02:29.12]On Wednesday, the President made note of the report on Twitter, writing,
[02:35.15]"I may be tough on border security, but not that tough.
[02:39.71]The press has gone crazy. Fake News!"
[02:44.32]Trump returned to the issue later at a press appearance with the president of Finland.
[02:50.79]"Never said it...never thought of it,"
[02:53.93]Trump said of the statements attributed to him in the New York Times story.
[03:00.16]Trump also mistakenly blamed the Washington Post
[03:04.61]and two of its reporters for the news story and book.
[03:08.92]He then condemned the Post as corrupt and a "disgrace."
[03:14.52]He described the story as "a total lie. It was corrupt reporting."
[03:21.64]I'm Caty Weaver. 更多听力请访问21VOA.COM