Trump official hammered after saying ruining the US auto industry was worth doing for border shutdown

White House Director of Strategic Communications Mercedes Schlapp got hammered on CNN Tuesday when she said President Donald Trump's plan to completely close the U.S.-Mexico border was worth it -- even if it meant the American auto industry shut down as a result.

"The last time a U.S. president closed or partially closed the border was after 9/11," said host Jim Sciutto, adding that President George W. Bush "reversed the decision" after just a few days due to the "enormous economic costs and disruption."

"The Center for Automotive Research says the U.S. auto industry would shut down in one week if the Mexican border was closed because of all of the dependence on plants down there for parts, etcetera," he continued. "Is the president saying that price is necessary to pay today on a step that hasn't been taken since 9/11?"

"What we're seeing is the cost of lives at the border," replied Schlapp, who went on to repeat the Trump administration's familiar refrains of sexual assault, drug cartels, and child endangerment, and accused the Democratic Party of not taking the crisis -which many argue was created by the White House itself- seriously. A frustrated Sciutto called out her dodge.

"I asked someone from Customs and Border Patrol yesterday if he or anyone in his agency recommended to the White House closing the border, if he's heard it. He said no," Sciutto said. "Who has recommended this step to the border and if it's not coming from his national security advisers, how we do not conclude this is more about politics?"

"The president is looking at all options, we're being left with no choice, little choices at this point in terms of what we're going to do with our resources," Schlapp replied defensively. "In essence, there is a crisis."

Watch the video below.