Lawmakers in both parties on Sunday rejected the prospect of President Trump solving the ongoing budget impasse by skirting Congress to declare a «national emergency,» with several Democrats…
Lawmakers in both parties on Sunday rejected the prospect of President Trump solving the ongoing budget impasse by skirting Congress to declare a «national emergency,» with several Democrats raising doubts over the legality of the idea.
“I don’t know what he’s basing this on, but he’s faced so many lawsuits when he ignores the law and ignores tradition and precedent, and just goes forward without any concern,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on “Face the Nation,» addressing Trump’s threat to declare a national emergency in order to build a border wall.
“He’ll face a challenge, I’m sure if he oversteps what the law requires when it comes to his responsibility as commander in chief,” Durbin added.
Republicans have also said they would rather the president not use such executive authority to build the wall, but White House officials on Sunday indicated the president has the power to move funding around if needed and the obligation to defend the country’s border.
The split over the use of national emergency powers underscores the divisions over border security that triggered the ongoing partial government shutdown that has lasted 16 days and counting.
Speaking to reporters at the White House as he departed for Camp David on Sunday, Trump reiterated that he was weighing the move as negotiations hit a standstill.
“I may declare a national emergency dependent on what’s going to happen over the next few days,” Trump said.
The president was pessimistic about the chances for progress during a Sunday meeting between Vice President Pence and congressional aides, but said there would be “very serious talks come Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
