Former President Donald Trump touted his role in sabotaging the Senate's bipartisan border security legislation during a campaign rally in South Carolina. Trump, who has made immigration a focal point of his 2024 campaign, criticized the proposed bill as "disastrous" and celebrated its collapse in the Senate. The legislation aimed to revamp the US asylum system and enhance security at the US-Mexico border.

During his rally, Trump hailed the demise of the bill as a "massive victory" for conservatives. He credited House Speaker Mike Johnson and congressional Republicans for their effort in rejecting the proposed legislation. The former president has been rallying his supporters around immigration, an issue that has proven challenging for President Joe Biden. Polls have shown that Biden's handling of immigration has weakened his support among voters.

While Biden supported the border security bill, leading conservatives on Capitol Hill opposed it. They urged the Senate to instead consider the more restrictive HR 2 bill, which was passed by the GOP-controlled House last year. Trump joined forces with conservatives, publicly calling on Republicans to reject the Senate bill and stating that he would shoulder the blame if it failed.

Last Wednesday, the border security bill fell short in the Senate, receiving a vote of 49-50, far from the 60 votes required for advancement. Although the bill faced opposition from five Democrats and one independent, only four Republicans supported it.

Biden, now looking to shift the narrative on immigration, is holding Trump accountable for the bill's collapse. The president vowed to make sure the American public is aware that "the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends."

As the debate on immigration intensifies between the Republicans' more restrictive approach and the Democrats' push for comprehensive reform, the fate of border security remains uncertain. The failed bill highlights the deep divide on this issue and sets the stage for continued political battles in the months leading up to the November elections.