Trump to circumvent Congress to build Mexico border wall

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he will sign a national emergency in a bid to go around Congress to build his long-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall.

“We’re going to confront the national security crisis on our southern border, and we’re going to do it one way or the other," Trump said as he prepared to sign legislation that averts another partial government shutdown, funding the whole of government through the end of September.

Trump is expected to sign the national emergency shortly after he concludes remarks to reporters in the Rose Garden.

The bill provides $1.375 billion for 55 miles (89 kilometers) of new border fencing. He had sought $5.7 billion in congressional appropriations to fund the barrier.

Trump will now try to redirect $6.5 billion in funds appropriated for other projects to fulfill his campaign pledge, according to reports.

But his action is certain to spur legal challenges from Democrats and landowners whose property Trump would have to expropriate to build the separation barrier.

Democrats have warned that no emergency exists on the U.S.'s southern border, and by his declaration the president is setting a dangerous precedent for future commanders-in-chief. Several Republicans have also cautioned Trump against taking the action.

Republican Senator Rand Paul said Thursday he is "disappointed" with the president's decision to move forward with the emergency declaration.

"I, too, want stronger border security, including a wall in some areas. But how we do things matters," Paul said on Twitter. "Extraconstitutional executive actions are wrong, no matter which party does them."

Paul has yet to comment on the matter following the president's announcement, but he is one of a half-dozen Senate Republicans who have voiced concern over the action.

That could be pivotal for the chamber as any measure of disapproval that clears the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will have to be voted on in the Senate where lawmakers would be forced to go on the record concerning the president' action.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday he plans to introduce such a resolution, making the awkward scenario for Senate Republicans a near certainty.

It would only need a simple majority to clear the Senate where all 47 Democrats and Independents are highly likely to unanimously approve.