Exclusive: Cabinet opposed tagging Mexico cartels as terrorists before Trump announced the plan

[corbe]

Exclusive: Cabinet opposed tagging Mexico cartels as terrorists before Trump announced the plan

By Jonathan Landay and Ted Hesson and Arshad Mohammed

WASHINGTON, Dec 26 (Reuters) - In the weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.

The recommendations, which some of the sources described as unanimous, have not been reported previously. They were driven in part by concerns that such designations could harm U.S.-Mexico ties, potentially jeopardizing Mexico’s cooperation with Trump’s efforts to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border, said two sources, including a senior administration official.

Another key concern was that the designations could make it easier for migrants to win asylum in the United States by claiming they were fleeing terrorism, the senior administration official and two other sources said.

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http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/exclusive-cabinet-opposed-tagging-mexico-cartels-as-terrorists-before-trump-announced-the-plan/ar-BBYmAJA?ocid=ientp

[corbe]

   Though it does speak of the effect on Immigration Policy~Please move if inappropriate Cat @PeteS in CA

[PeteS in CA]

@corbe, I see it as somewhat related, so I probably would not have moved it. But it might get more views and responses in Politics. Let me know if you'd prefer it moved.

Besides, this is a scandal! Trump dared do differently than some of his advisers advised!