On Friday, the Supreme Court struck down a lower court order, allowing President Donald Trump to redirect military funds to build his wall on the southern border. In a 5-4 decision, the Court allowed Trump to redirect $2.5 billion in military construction funds for wall projects in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
“Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed,” Trump tweeted. “Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!”
Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2019
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch ruled that Trump could proceed with redirecting the funds while litigation over the issue continues.
Trump announced in May that he intended to spend over $8 billion on border wall construction, even though Congress appropriated only $1.375 billion for that purpose and limited the use of those phones to southeast Texas. He also declared a state of emergency to unlock the funds, POLITICO reported.
While many claim that this redirection of funds is unconstitutional, since Congress has the power of the purse, Trump claimed that the law enabling him to declare national emergencies extended to redirecting funds in this way.
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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