Having failed to get Congress to fund his border wall, Trump declared a national emergency. A national emergency declaration could allow Trump to use money appropriated for military construction, counter-narcotics programs, and asset forfeiture to build the border wall. Also, in a national emergency, the President could seize private property. Because most of the land on which a wall would be built in Texas is private property, this could negate the need for eminent domain and thus simplify construction.
Democrats are poised to counter this declaration. Congress can terminate the announcement of a national emergency by a joint resolution of both the House and Senate. Democrats may be able to garner enough votes in the Senate to terminate the national emergency, although they would probably lack the votes needed to override a Presidential veto. And Democrats in the House, as well as landowners in Texas and other civil rights groups, can file a suit to stop the President from encroaching on their Constitutional power to appropriate money.
This declaration shows a number of facts about Trump. First, it shows his incompetence in working with and negotiating with Congress. Trump had the opportunity to get over $20 billion for a border wall a year ago, but could not take the deal. Second, it shows the extent to which Trump is entirely reckless and lacks regard for the country and the Republican Party. Using the pretense of a declaration of a national emergency to avoid the Constitutional requirement of a Congressional requirement is dangerous for the country. Third, if this declaration stands, then this country as a democratic republic will cease to exist; it will become an authoritarian regime.
Democrats are poised to counter this declaration. Congress can terminate the announcement of a national emergency by a joint resolution of both the House and Senate. Democrats may be able to garner enough votes in the Senate to terminate the national emergency, although they would probably lack the votes needed to override a Presidential veto. And Democrats in the House, as well as landowners in Texas and other civil rights groups, can file a suit to stop the President from encroaching on their Constitutional power to appropriate money.
This declaration shows a number of facts about Trump. First, it shows his incompetence in working with and negotiating with Congress. Trump had the opportunity to get over $20 billion for a border wall a year ago, but could not take the deal. Second, it shows the extent to which Trump is entirely reckless and lacks regard for the country and the Republican Party. Using the pretense of a declaration of a national emergency to avoid the Constitutional requirement of a Congressional requirement is dangerous for the country. Third, if this declaration stands, then this country as a democratic republic will cease to exist; it will become an authoritarian regime.
| https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/national-emergency-trump.html | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/trump-national-emergency-congress.html  |