Trump forcibly takes funds from the military to pay for his pet wall project
Feb. 15: On This Day In 2019
Trump takes billions: OTDI 2019, Trump declared a “national emergency” on the U.S.-Mexico border. He issued Proclamation # 9844 so that the Trump Administration could divert up to $8 billion from other committed military uses and distribute the money to his border wall escapade instead.
Overall, this was the 60th Presidential Emergency Declaration since 1976...but the only one that diverted congressionally-authorized funds.
Our system of government wasn’t designed to be able to stop presidents who overcome the will of Congress in this roundabout way.
When a president wants the government to be all about himself, it turns out there are ways he can make that happen.
But as seven House Dems who chair subcommittees of the judiciary panel advised the president: “we believe your declaration of an emergency shows a reckless disregard for the separation of powers and your own responsibilities under our constitutional system.”
The incomparable Alec Baldwin explained the situation in full, via the magic of Saturday Night Live.
Btw, the U.S.-Mexico border is 1,951 miles long. By the end of his presidency, despite his taking funding this way, "the vast majority of the 458 miles (Trump did fence) were constructed in places where some kind of barrier already existed," noted USNWR. If our math is right, 458 is less than 1,951. And you, the American taxpayer, were charged for it; Mexico paid not a penny.
"Promises Kept!" Trump likes to brag.
Sources/Links for further reading
NPR has the details
WUSA notes how unusual this was
USNWR has the stats