The visit to the Rio Grande Valley drew concern from border lawmakers and activists who said the events of last week were still too fresh.
Several lawsuits slowed or halted construction in large swaths of Texas, but some construction did occur in areas where other administrations couldn’t or wouldn’t break ground.
The president, who was alone at the podium near the border wall during his remarks, also briefly condemned last week's riots at the U.S. Capitol.
“President Trump, who orchestrated last week’s treasonous riots on the U.S. Capitol, is scheduled to fly to the Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
“With a nation in crisis in the wake of a mob attack on the nation’s capital and reeling from an uncontrollable pandemic, President Trump is employing precious government resources to highlight his atrocious border wall.