IT'S OFFICIAL: US President declares national emergency to build a border wall for USA

President Donald Trump on Friday the 15th Feb 2019 declared a national emergency to build a wall along with some portions of the United States-Mexico border.

The Justice Department has reportedly warned the White House that the courts are almost certain to at least temporarily block the emergency declaration. The border-security compromise package Congress passed on Thursday 14th Feb provides $1.4 billion for barrier construction.

Also, President Trump declared this emergency to help fulfill one of his campaign promises: Constructing a wall on the border with Mexico. The administration said it intends to spend roughly $8 billion to build 234 miles of the steel wall. Congress has approved just under $1.4 billion for border barriers. Major Garrett reports.

Legally, a President is allowed to declare an emergency which gives him certain powers that are normally constrained. The idea is to allow a President to be able to quickly respond to a crisis.