- In an announcement Friday morning from the Rose Garden, President Trump announced plans to declare a state of emergency and access $3.6 billion in funding for a wall on the southern border.
- The President predicted he would be sued over his declaration, and indeed, later that day, he was. Public Citizen, a liberal watchdog group, which includes Texas landowners, sued within hours. Later, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington also filed suit.
- The Emergency Declaration incensed Democrats, who vowed to fight what they say is an unlawful power grab. On Friday night, the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the White House demanding testimony from Justice Department officials and White House counsel.
- Conservative activists and Republican members of congress found themselves divided. Some warned that the same move could be used by a future administration to achieve their own aims.
- Immigration hawk Ann Coulter predicted that the courts will use the bill Trump just signed to block him from building the wall.
- Others on the right praised President Trump’s “bold and decisive action” to “put the safety of our country first.” Stymied by the Democrats, the president had no other choice but to move forward, one said. “He will be sure to be rewarded for this with re-election in 2020.”
President Trump Declares National Emergency, Faces Multi-front Fight
