In the annals of bad headline writing, here's a top 10 contender from Politico: "Trump squeezes Dems with border demands." The real story behind the terrible headline is important: There are real humanitarian needs at the border, but Donald Trump's ongoing threats about getting "tougher" on asylum seekers with actual physical violence (never mind the wall) are complicating Congress' response.
The White House is asking Congress for billions more to deal with a renewed surge of migrants, one that's creating a heightened humanitarian crisis. The Democratic House wants to answer that need, but is also well aware that Trump is more likely to use those funds to try to build his wall or otherwise use the funds to harm migrants. They're also reluctant to give him more money for the mess he created. "So you create chaos, and then ask for more money?" said Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
The White House says it wants money for the basics of humanitarian care like food, water, and medical treatment. Plenty of Democrats don't believe that. "I wouldn't support any request for funding at this time," said Illinois Democrat Rep. Chuy Garcia. "I'm not prepared to go there. Can't trust them." They don't want to validate Trump's rhetoric about a security crisis, nor do they want to undercut their legal case against his bogus national emergency declaration about the crisis. At the same time, they recognize that the humanitarian crisis is deepening, and Trump is causing it. "I don't call it a security crisis, I call it a humanitarian crisis," Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, who represents a Texas border district said. "So the question is how do we get to address that?"
Yes, Congress can—and must—direct how appropriations are spent. But, again, they don't trust Trump not to use any money they provide to detain more people and steal more children. "The frustrating thing is they're diverting money all over the place and now they want Congress to buy in on Homeland Security changes and policy changes?" said California Rep. Pete Aguilar. "It's ridiculous."