Trump Says He Can Declare National Emergency to Build Wall

  • President will first give negotiations with Democrats ‘a shot’
  • Democrats reject using national emergency as ‘legally dubious’
Trump Says He's Considering Using Emergency Powers for Wall Funding
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President Donald Trump said he could declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress and build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, after telling Democrats he’s prepared to keep part of the government shut down for a year or longer if his demands aren’t met.

“Absolutely we can call a national emergency because of the security of our country,” Trump said Friday at the White House. “I haven’t done it. I may do it. We can call a national emergency and build it very quickly.”