This browser does not support the Video element.
(KMSP) - An annual tradition came with a side of politics Monday as the First Family hosted thousands on the White House lawn for the Easter egg roll. President Donald Trump insisted Democrats were to blame for a lack of action on DACA.
“The Democrats have really let them down,” said President Trump. “They've really let them down. They had this great this opportunity. The Democrats have really let them down. It's a shame. And now people are taking advantage of DACA and that's a shame. It should have never happened."
Democrats rejected the President's offer of a DACA deal in exchange for a border wall and immigration reforms.
"The President made multiple offers on DACA, he wanted to see something get done, but Democrats refused to actually put something on the table or work with the President to get anything done,” said Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary. “They wanted to use DACA recipients as political pawns. I think what's happened here is incredibly sad."
Democrats are responding, putting the blame squarely on the President.
"He never had a plan for trying to fix DACA,” said Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota). “He turned down several bipartisan deals. It was always a game, always a trick. He was never arguing in good faith."
Since Sunday, Trump has sent several tweets addressing immigration, which the White House says was fueled by reports of a caravan of Central American migrants heading for the U.S.
Monday evening, he tweeted, "Honduras, Mexico and many other countries that the U.S. is very generous to, sends many of their people to our country through our WEAK IMMIGRATION POLICIES. Caravans are heading here. Must pass tough laws and build the WALL. Democrats allow open borders, drugs and crime!"
The fate of the young undocumented immigrants, often referred to as dreamers, remains in limbo. The President lifted their legal protections, but a court has put that on hold.