President Trump to Declare National Emergency, Fund the Wall

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that President Trump will sign the spending bill to prevent another government shut down, and that the president will also declare a national emergency to secure additional funds for the wall on the US – Mexico border.

“I’ve just had an opportunity to speak with President Trump and he — I would say to all my colleagues — has indicated he is prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national-emergency declaration at the same time,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “And I’ve indicated to him that I am going to support the national emergency declaration.”

The national emergency declaration will face challenges in the courts, but it is very likely that, in the end, the courts will say President Trump has the authority to declare a national emergency, avert funds and have the military construct portions of the wall as the Secure Fences Act already allows.

Sen. Lindsey Graham also supports the president in signing the bill and declaring an emergency.

“Take this as a down payment,” Graham said Wednesday on Fox News @ Night. “Then go into the defense bill and move money around like Congress allowed you to do last year and build this damn wall.”

“The president should declare a national emergency, because it is,” Graham added. “Then let the Democrats talk about why they don’t want to secure the border.”