U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to secure funds for a wall on the border with Mexico without congressional approval, a controversial move that appears certain to draw a court challenge from Democrats.
With the declaration, Trump is seeking to divert about $6.5 billion in funds from the military and other sources through executive action, adding to a smaller amount allocated via a border security bill that he signed to avert another government shutdown.
photo credit to: https://www.newyorker.com
Referring to a signature promise of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and with his 2020 re-election bid in sight, the White House said the U.S. leader “is following through on his promise to secure the border with legislation and executive action” Trump, however, repeatedly pledged on the campaign trail that Mexico would pay for the wall.
The legislation includes $1.375 billion for 88 kilometers of fencing and other physical barriers at the southern border — far short of the $5.7 billion Trump had demanded for more than 320 kilometers of steel and concrete wall.
Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, condemned the Republican president’s move, saying it clearly violates Congress exclusive control over the national purse. Trump acknowledged his action would face a lengthy court battle, but expressed confidence that he will eventually prevail in the Supreme Court.
Referring to Democratic leaders, Trump said that walls don’t work. Walls work one hundred percent in blocking an invasion of drugs, gangs and people. Trump’s demand for five-point-seven billion dollars in funding for the wall led to a one month partial government shutdown through Jan. 25. The shutdown was the longest in U.S. history.
The population appears to be evenly split, for and against, the moves of the Donald as he keeps insisting that Mexico pay for the wall. Many are calling him atrocious but many are also calling him the best president in America.
Reference: Trump declares national emergency over border wall
