Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin insisted on Wednesday that the Trump administration was “using U.S. taxpayer dollars well” with its plan to paint the entire southern border wall black.
During an appearance on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, McLaughlin boasted:
Secretary Noem was just down in El Paso visiting the border, which we’ve had zero crossings the last two months, and she’s painting that border wall black. Especially these high-traffic areas, which under President Trump really there are no high-traffic places. But it not only prevents rust, that black paint – which increases durability and longevity of that wall – but also it makes it incredibly hot to the touch, so no illegal alien, no drug mule, no criminal, or no cartel member is going to try and climb that border wall.
Fox News host Jesse Watters questioned, “So how hot is it? Is it like when I boil water to make my kids mac and cheese hot?”
“I think that’s pretty comparable,” replied McLaughlin. “Especially in those very hot summer months. But like I said, it’s going to be that longevity and that durability as well, so we are making sure we’re using U.S. taxpayer dollars well and they are going far.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday that her department would begin painting “the entire southern border wall black” at
“That is specifically at the request of the president who understands that in the hot temperatures down here, when something is painted black, it gets even warmer and it will make it even harder for people to climb,” Noem told reporters. “So we are going to be painting the entire southern border wall black to make sure that we encourage individuals to not come into our country illegally.”
Watch above via Fox News.