U.S. President Donald Trump

White House defends Trump’s emergency declaration

February 18, 2019

The White House has defended President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico and sought to clarify his contradictory statements about its necessity, amid mounting legal challenges and objections from Congress…reports Asian Lite News

U.S. President Donald Trump

Trump’s announcement last week, an attempt to circumvent Congress by redirecting taxpayer money to pay for 230 miles of barriers along the border, has led to lawsuits, reports The Washington Post.

On Sunday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said he was working with officials from at least six other states and would be filing a suit against the White House “imminently”.

The national emergency declaration also triggered protests, with various groups promising to hold more throughout the country.

Meanwhile, in a Fox News interview on Sunday, White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller insisted that the emergency was real, saying there was an “increasing number of people crossing” and “a huge increase in drug deaths”.

Lawmakers, including some Republicans, are divided as to whether the emergency declaration is legitimate.

Democrats are preparing a joint resolution to repeal the national emergency in coming weeks.

Even if Congress passes such a resolution, Trump would probably veto it, Miller said in the interview on Sunday.

“He’s going to protect his national emergency declaration, guaranteed,” he said, insisting that by late 2020, “hundreds of miles” of new barriers will be built along the border.

Several civil groups have also initiated legal action, The Washington Post said.

Advocacy group Public Citizen filed a lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s declaration on behalf of three Texas landowners and an environmental group.

Another organisation, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, sued the Justice Department accusing it of failing to provide documents related to the President’s decision to declare a national emergency.

The Centre for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, filed suit saying the President has failed to identify a legal authority to take such an action.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it was preparing a lawsuit arguing that Trump cannot legally redirect taxpayer money during an “emergency” unless it is for military projects that support the armed forces.

Previous Story

Technology in Cricket: ‘To be or not to be, is the question’

Next Story

BJP MP Kirti Azad joins Congress

Latest from ASIA NEWS

Peace talks in the desert

President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable peace, dialogue, and development in the South

Red Sea Warzone

Iran-backed rebels intensify maritime assaults in support of Gaza; US and EU condemn abductions, Israel intercepts missile….reports Asian Lite News The Iran-aligned

Pakistan, Turkey Cement Defence Ties

Turkey and Pakistan aim to enhance bilateral trade volume to USD $ 5billion, especially in defence, trade, energy, and infrastructure sectors….reports Asian

Khamenei Breaks Cover in Tehran

Iran’s Supreme Leader makes first public appearance since conflict with Israel, as mystery over his wartime absence continues. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah