Trump Warns Congress About Declaring a National Emergency for Border Wall Construction

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, warned on Thursday, January 10, that if Congress and the Democrats do not agree to the necessary budget for building the border wall, he will secure such funding by declaring a national emergency. According to Reuters, Trump, who traveled to Texas to visit the southern borders of the U.S. with Mexico, told reporters: 'We can declare a national emergency. Although we shouldn't have to do that.' Trump walked out of a meeting with Democrats regarding the government shutdown in protest. He told Fox News that if we cannot reach an agreement with Congress, we will likely do so. I see no reason not to do it. He emphasized that he has a 100% right to declare a national emergency. However, he added that he would wait a few days to see what Congress would do. Trump's disagreement with the Democrats in Congress over securing the budget needed for the wall has led to parts of the U.S. federal government shutting down. On Thursday, this shutdown entered its twentieth day. Trump is seeking $5.7 billion for the construction of this wall, but the Democrats oppose this request. Reuters reports that if Trump declares a national emergency, the Democrats will immediately seek to legally challenge this decision, but Trump previously stated that he would win this legal challenge. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives passed two bills on Thursday to reopen some departments, including funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing, and Agriculture. The House also passed a bill to reopen the Treasury Department the day before. However, the White House has warned that if these bills are passed in the Senate and sent for the President's signature, Trump will veto them. Additionally, the President has canceled his trip to the Davos meeting in Switzerland on January 22 (in 12 days). The cancellation of the trip to Davos is seen as Trump's readiness to insist on securing funding for the wall and continuing the shutdown of parts of the federal government. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that he has never been this depressed about moving forward. He sees no way forward. Senator Graham said it is time for the President to declare a national emergency. Trump also stated that his lawyers believe he has the legal power to declare a national emergency to finance the wall's construction. The President told reporters at the White House: 'I am fully entitled to declare a national emergency. I am not ready to do it yet, but if I have to, I will.' Reuters states that by declaring a national emergency, the President can bypass Congress and use the necessary funds for wall construction from the Defense Department budget. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democratic senator who has a good relationship with Trump, said that issuing a national emergency order would be a mistake, but it is the only remaining solution to move forward.