Late on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump addressed a group of supporters at a rally reasserting his campaign promise to build a southern borderwall between the U.S. and Mexico. “Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it,” he said. “But believe me, if we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall.”
The president’s announcement comes on the heels of a series of legislative losses for Republicans—who failed to pass legislation on healthcare reform prior to their August recess and are gearing up for a tax overhaul upon their return—and further evidences a divide between the commander-and-chief and his Congress. As noted by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, the House of Representatives passed a bill in July that would allow for $790 billion in spending for the military and borderwall construction. However, following President Trump’s threats, Speaker Ryan responded at a news conference in Oregon on Wednesday saying, “We’re going to need more time to complete our appropriations process, particularly in the Senate … so I don’t think anyone is interested in having a shutdown. I don’t think it’s in our interest to do … I don’t think you have to choose between the two.”
Despite this divide, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has remained steadfast in pursuing the president’s promise of constructing a borderwall, after issuing a request for submissions for plans in March. Earlier this month, the DHS issued a waiver to “expedite border construction projects” along a 15-mile shared border between San Diego and Mexico. According to this waiver, the DHS is not required to comply with various environmental laws and protections including the National Environmental Policy Act—which requires environmental assessments and impact reports—the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Former chief of homeland security and current White House chief of staff John Kelly writes in the report, ” I hereby waive in their entirety, with respect to the construction of roads and physical barriers (including, but not limited to, accessing the project area, creating and using staging areas, the conduct of earthwork, excavation, fill, and site preparation, and installation and upkeep of physical barriers, roads, supporting elements, drainage, erosion controls, and safety features) in the Project Area, the following statutes…” and goes on to name more than 30 pieces of legislation.
While it is unclear if the president would actually shutdown the government in an effort to force Congress’s hand to provide funding for the borderwall, it is clear he intends to uphold this particular campaign promise. “My administration will never back down in demanding immigration control,” President Trump said at the rally. “But believe me, one way or the other, we’re going to get that wall.”
