President Trump announced today that he will sign a national emergency to fund the wall at the southern border.
Speaking in the Rose Garden this morning, the President said, “I’m going to be signing a national emergency and its been signed many times before. It’s been signed by other presidents from 1977 or so it gave the presidents the power. There has rarely been a problem…They sign it. Nobody cares…they sign it, for far less important things…in many cases. We’re talking about an invasion of our country. With drugs, with human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs…”
BREAKING: President Trump addresses border security and declares a national emergency to fund the border wall, "I'm going to be signing a national emergency." pic.twitter.com/7akGPK9GWj
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 15, 2019
Prior to the President’s announcement, Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told reporters that President Trump will have access to about $8 billion for border security.
“With the declaration of a national emergency, the president will have access to roughly $8 billion worth of money to secure the southern border,” Mulvaney said.
KUTV reports that the funds the White House has identified include:
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- $1.375 billion from the 2019 appropriations bill passed by Congress Thursday
- $600 million from the Treasury Department’s forfeiture fund
- $2.5 billion from counterdrug activities at the Department of Defense
- $3.6 billion from the military construction budget
