White House announces new travel ban as budget battle intensifies
(NBC)- A new travel ban targeting foreign nationals from a dozen countries—primarily in Africa and the Middle East—will go into effect Monday, according to the White House. The Trump administration cites national security concerns as the reason behind the sweeping policy change.
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), President Donald Trump said travelers from the listed countries are “not properly vetted,” adding bluntly, “We don’t want them.”
The President referenced this week’s terror attack in Colorado as part of the justification for the ban. However, Egypt—the home country of the suspect in that incident—is not included on the list.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said in the video.
The move has sparked swift backlash from Democrats, who argue the policy is politically motivated. “You distract people by making them think that they’re at war with other Americans, making them think that they have something to fear from people who look different from them or speak a different language,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
The travel ban rollout comes as President Trump’s signature spending and tax bill faces new hurdles in Congress. Billionaire Elon Musk weighed in on social media, urging lawmakers to reject the bill, writing, “Call your senators, call your congressman… KILL the BILL.” Musk claims the legislation will significantly increase the federal deficit. “I don’t think very many Senators are that interested in what Elon has to say about it,” responded Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
The proposed legislation extends the President’s 2017 tax cuts, allocates billions for border security, and includes reductions to Medicaid and food assistance programs. Nonpartisan budget analysts estimate it would add $2.5 trillion to the national debt—an assessment Republicans are now pushing back against.
“You can’t go back to the drawing board, and we shouldn’t. We have a great product to deliver here,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
