Trump threatens to close the 'whole border' with Mexico     Trump added that he meant the "whole border," though he appeared to be referring only to the southern border.   Trump also claimed that the U.S. closed the border earlier this week, though it was unclear what he was referring to. Earlier this week traffic lanes near a key port of entry in San Diego were temporarily shut down.   Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Monday that the lanes were shut down because a large number of migrants were planning to "rush the border."  Earlier this month, the Pentagon deployed roughly 5,800 troops to the border at the request of Trump. The president has claimed that a group of Central American asylum seekers traveling through Mexico and toward the U.S. border present a national security threat.   Homeland Security Department officials had said in a conference call with reporters earlier this week that they had identified 500 criminals traveling in the caravan, The New York Times reported. Trump also confirmed Thursday that he had authorized troops at the border to use force against immigrants if necessary.   By Michael Burke - 11/22/18 (thehill.com) Video & Source article Here