President Donald Trump is scheduled to go to the US-Mexico border this week following his address to the nation. Accompanying him was supposed to be the members of the Department of Homeland Security advisory council, but due to Trump's government shutdown, they can't attend the trip.
The Daily Beast reported Tuesday that the members of the council were told they could not "conduct business" right now, meaning none of those council members are classified as "essential" staff.
Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen tasked the council with developing a draft of recommendations to navigate the overflow of children at the border as well as their health and safety.
The council can't do that work until Trump ends the shutdown, leaving Homeland Security in an awkward predicament.
