(This post may contain disputed claims. We make no assertions as to the validity of the information presented by our Opinion Columnist. We are an opinion blog, not a traditional news outlet, and this post should be treated as such. Enjoy.)With the partial government shutdown now on its twentieth day, Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are still refusing to give President Donald Trump the $5 billion he needs to finish the border wall. Trump is not about to give up on his campaign promise to secure the border, though. He has a brilliant plan to get the wall built and make the Democrats pay for their stubbornness.
On his way to McAllen, Texas, to visit the border on Thursday, President Donald Trump vowed to declare a “national emergency” in order to get the wall built if the Democrats will not work with him to end the partial government shutdown.
Trump has floated the idea in recent days that he may declare a national emergency at the southern border under his authority as Commander-in-Chief, which would then authorize him to begin construction on the wall with military funds.
The president is currently exploring the idea of declaring a national emergency so that he can build the wall without the approval of Congress. As the partial government shutdown heads into its third week, Congress is stuck at an impasse as Democrats say they will not give Trump any of the $5.7 billion he has requested for the wall.
Trump told reporters Friday that he is open to using emergency powers to circumvent Congress, stating, “We can call a national emergency and build it very quickly. It’s another way of doing it.” He reiterated the idea Sunday, adding that he would wait and see what negotiations yielded over the next “few days.” [Source: The Daily Caller]
“If we don’t make a deal, I would say it would be very surprising to me that I would not declare a national emergency and just fund it through the various mechanisms,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Thursday.
“I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency. I haven’t done it yet. I may do it. If this doesn’t work out, probably I will do it. I would almost say definitely. The only way you have a strong border is you have a wall or steel barrier,” he added.
His comments come as the partial government shutdown enters its 20th day and a day after a White House meeting intended to break the impasse between the administration and leading Democrats ended after 20 minutes when the president walked out.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump slammed his hands on the table and stormed out after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she wouldn’t support a wall in exchange for opening up parts of the government. Trump denied that happened.
“That was a lie … I don’t have temper tantrums. I very calmly walked out of the room. I didn’t smash the table. I should have, but I did not smash the table,” he said.
Speaking of the negotiations with Schumer and Pelosi, Trump said he found that China is “far more honorable” that the Democratic leaders. “I think that China is actually much easier to deal with that the opposition party,” he said, referring to talks his administration is having with China over trade. [Source: New York Post]
The president also defended his claim that Mexico would pay for the wall, saying, “When I said Mexico will pay for the wall in front of thousands and thousands of people, obviously they’re not going to write a check, but they are paying for the wall indirectly many, many times over by the really great trade deal we just made.”
It’s time for President Donald Trump to stop playing games with the Democrats. He should declare a national emergency and get the wall built. Spread the word if you agree.
