
Trump Touts His ‘Right’ to Declare an Emergency
While visiting the U.S.-Mexico border yesterday, President Donald Trump claimed he has “the absolute right to declare a national emergency” if House Democrats refuse to fund his border wall to end the three-week partial government shutdown. He also claimed he “never meant” Mexico would directly pay for the wall — even though the pledge was a key part of his campaign platform.
What’s left at Trump’s disposal? Back in Washington, White House officials were reportedly considering diverting $13.9 billion in federal aid from disaster-hit Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and California for the project. One source even claimed Trump asked the Army Corps of Engineers whether they could start work within 45 days.