Donald Trump Backs Down on Plan to Designate Mexican Cartels Terrorists

President Donald Trump decided Friday not to officially designate Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, deferring instead to Mexico.

“We will temporarily hold off this designation and step up our joint efforts to deal decisively with these vicious and ever-growing organizations!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

The president said that although he was fully prepared to take the tough step against the cartels, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asked him not to.

Trump said he liked and respected President Obrador, who has been working with him to help stop the flow of migrants crossing the Southern border of the United States.

Washington homeowner hears mysterious banging, calls 911 before police find growling bobcat at top of stairs

Breaking: Intimidation Arrest Made Outside Courthouse of Lindsay Clancy Trial Setting Stage for Potential Mistrial

Tyler Robinson to face trial in Charlie Kirk assassination as judge keeps death penalty on table

Top Democrat survives double-barreled challenge as party’s Israel divide hits home

Colin Kaepernick Reemerges and Tries to Cash in on Playing the Victim

House Democrat survives left-flank challenge as Bernie volunteer mounts insurgent bid

Trump Wants Congress to Save Hollywood from Going Bust – His Heart Might Be in The Right Place, But He’s Dead Wrong

DOJ sues Kansas school district over ‘secret gender transitions’ in first-of-its-kind lawsuit

Former president-turned-amateur artist George W. Bush debuting new paintings for 9/11 remembrance

Canadian Voters Double Down on Hostility Toward Trump, Hand Liberal Party Special Election Sweep

Republicans turn on House GOP lawmaker accused of late-night texts, lavish gifts to female staffers

Starmer steps down from Parliament to seek opportunities in ‘international affairs,’ with Greens eager to snatch his seat

Ex-Indiana deputy charged with felony for allegedly using Flock cameras to stalk girlfriend

House Democrats Panicking as Republicans Prepare to Make Them Go on the Record with Socialism Vote

Spanberger fact-checked after Trump mail-voting warning raises military ballot fears

President Trump was expected to meet with his advisers on Friday to discuss the designation, which he has been previewing for months.

“All necessary work has been completed to declare Mexican Cartels terrorist organizations,” he confirmed on Friday. “Statutorily we are ready to do so.”

The cartel slaughter of nine American citizens in Mexico last month — six children and three women — prompted Trump to speed up the process.

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr met with Obrador on Thursday to discuss the president’s proposal, which the Mexican president criticized as “interventionism” and a “flagrant violation of our sovereignty.” Obrador also cited President Obama’s failed gunrunning operation “Fast and Furious” as an example of how the United States only made violence worse in Mexico.

In March, Trump told Breitbart News that he was thinking “very seriously” about the idea.

“It’s psychological, but it’s also economic,” Trump said about the cartels. “As terrorists — as terrorist organizations, the answer is yes. They are.

The designation would allow law enforcement to act swiftly against the cartels as well as target their weaponry and financial resources. The federal government would also be allowed to prosecute friends and family members of the cartels supporting them in the United States, as well as organized gangs such as MS-13.