Outgoing chief of staff, John Kelly, contradicts Trump in an interview at the exit: "Honestly, it's not a wall"

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who is due to leave the Trump administration in a few days, categorically stated in remarks Sunday that the proposed border proposed by the president "is not a wall" and that all concrete wall projects have been abandoned. a long time ago – directly contradicting the repeated claims of the White House to the contrary effect.

In a series of posts on Twitter earlier this month, Trump insisted that "we do not build concrete walls, we build artistic steel slats." Easily see through. "But Kelly's comments were apparently at odds with the president's tweet Friday claiming" money to finish the wall "as well as his promises during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. [19659003] The relationship between Trump and Kelly would have deteriorated recently months ago. Trump announced in early December that the retired four-star general, General Marine, would "be leaving" soon, while he had already hinted that he would remain in office until 2020. [19659003] "To be honest, it's not a wall," Kelly said in an interview. with the Los Angeles Times. "The president always says" wall "- often, frankly, he says" fence "or" fence ", he now tends to steel slats.We left a solid concrete wall at the beginning of the year. administration, when we asked people what they needed and where they needed it. "

In a few hours, the White House rejected Kelly's comments by highlighting Trump's previous tweets on the subject.

A man looks at the US border where workers replace parts of the US border wall, in Tijuana, Mexico, Wednesday, December 19, 2018. changing pieces of the wall that migrants seeking to reach the United States went through. (AP Photo / Moises Castillo)

"I think that many people who do not want to give in to border security control and force Congress to do its job and close loopholes insist that it's a wall, a wall, Truth advisor Kellyanne Conway told CNN on Sunday. "The president said," he said last week, and tweeted images of steel slats, "the situation is already happening in California."

She added, "It really depends on what customs officials and border patrollers say, and they said they needed gates.The president said a wall-barriers, the president said they They needed steel laths, they needed technological improvements. "

While he was in the custody of US officials, Trump apparently would have suggested to border patrol officers to want a wall.

"To be honest, this is not a wall."

– Outgoing Chief of Staff John Kelly [19659013] "The girl's father said it was not their fault, he had not given her any water for days," wrote Trump . "The border patrol needs the wall and everything will end, they work so hard and get so little credit!"

The president also doubled his election promise that Mexico would fund the wall – and had suggested in a previous tweet that he had kept his promise.

"Mexico pays (indirectly) the Wall through the new USMCA, which replaces NAFTA!" Trump wrote. "Much more money is going to the US Because of the huge dangers at the border, including criminal and drug entry on a large scale, the US military will build the wall!"

Jakelin Caal, Felipe, age 7, aged 8 Gomez Alonzo were both arrested this month after entering the United States with their undocumented fathers. Jakelin suffered from dehydration and shock, while Felipe died shortly before 23:50. the day before Christmas, after being sick, suffering from flu-like symptoms

Felipe's father, Agustin Gomez, had seized "the opportunity" to go to the Mexican border in the hope of migrate to the United States after hearing a rumor, according to Felipe's half-sister, Catarina Gomez Lucas.

"We have heard rumors that they may be passing (in the US) .They said they could spend with the kids," Lucas told The Associated Press.

Fox News learned that it was happening behind the scenes. Over the weekend, several senators are discussing a potential new compromise to end the ongoing partial closure of the federal government. A bipartisan proposal provides $ 5.7 billion in funding for the border wall, as well as congressional re-authorization of the Obama DACA (Delayed Action for Children Arrivals) program for people illegally brought to the United States as children, as well as others

There was also talk of a special allowance for certain categories of Central American refugees who would benefit from stronger asylum.

Talk to CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday in South Republic Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested that a compromise could be reached – but only on one condition.

"To my Democratic friends, there will never be a deal without a wall of funding," Graham said.

In addition, Kelly told the Times that he was satisfied that, contrary to critics' claims, the Chair was always kept informed before making any key decisions.

"This has never been the case: the president just wants to make a decision without knowledge or ignorance. e, says Kelly to the newspaper. "You may not like his decision, but at least he would have been fully informed of the impact."

Kelly points to a potential major change in retirement, noting that he is currently working 4 hours in 21 hours and he enjoys limited freedom. of movement.

"I am monitored by the secret services. I can not even go out for a beer, "he joked.

Chad Pergram of Fox News contributed to the writing of this report.