Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernard (Bernie) SandersSchumer: Franken should resign Franken resignation could upend Minnesota races Avalanche of Democratic senators say Franken should resign MORE (I-Vt.) on Saturday ripped President Trump
Donald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for ‘serious case of amnesia’ after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I don’t want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MORE's request for $18 billion to construct his proposed wall along the U.S-Mexico border, saying he was not sure why Trump is pushing for a wall Mexico will not pay for.
"I am not sure why President Trump wants to shut down the government over a multi-billion dollar wall that no one wants, is not needed and will not be paid for by Mexico," Sanders said in a statement.
"What the American people do want, in overwhelming numbers, is to provide legal protection to 800,000 Dreamers and a path toward citizenship for them," he continued, referring to a common name for young immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children.
Trump reiterated to reporters at Camp David on Saturday that Mexico would pay for the wall.
“I believe Mexico will pay for the wall. I have a very good relationship with Mexico,” Trump said.
Sanders's comments come one day after Trump offered his most specific request yet to lawmakers regarding his proposed wall, asking for nearly $18 billion to fund the border wall expansion project.
The request came amid budget negotiations on Capitol Hill. The president has demanded that funding for the wall, one of his key campaign promises, be included in a deal to provide a fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program mostly advocated by Democrats.