GOP lawmaker: Trump could reverse policy of separating families if he wanted to

A Republican lawmaker on Wednesday said the Trump administration could reverse the policy of separating migrant children from their families if President Trump desired.

“The President can reverse the policy of separating families today. If he doesn’t, Congress must vote to end it,” Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) wrote on Twitter.

“If neither of these happen, I have drafted an amendment that will prevent the separation of families,” he added.

The President can reverse the policy of separating families today. If he doesn’t, Congress must vote to end it. If neither of these happen, I have drafted an amendment that will prevent the separation of families.

— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) June 20, 2018

Stewart has been a defender of the president since his election. The GOP lawmaker flipped and decided to vote for Trump during the 2016 election after previously criticizing the candidate, once even comparing him to Benito Mussolini, the World War II-era fascist dictator.

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The GOP lawmaker’s remarks come as the Trump administration faces considerable backlash from both sides of the aisle over its “zero-tolerance” immigration policy that has separated at least 2,000 children from their families as more adults are prosecuted for illegally crossing the border.

Thirteen GOP senators sent Attorney General Jeff Sessions a letter this week asking that he pause the practice while Congress works on legislation.

Democratic lawmakers have also rallied together to back legislation from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) aimed at preventing families from being separated.