ZCZC
BFF-02
US-POLITICS-IMMIGRATION-COURT
Supreme Court says Trump can spend military funds on wall
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled
in favor of President Donald Trump, allowing him to proceed with plans to
divert billions of dollars in Pentagon funds towards construction of his
border wall with Mexico.
“Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall,” Trump tweeted in reaction to the ruling.
“Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!”
Trump declared a national emergency earlier this year in a bid to bypass
Congress and obtain funding for his signature project, after the standoff led
to the longest government shutdown in US history.
But about 20 US states along with rights and environmental groups and
border communities are backing lawsuits that claim the emergency declaration
violates the constitution.
Last May, a federal judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in
their favor, issuing a temporary injunction against using Defense Department
funds for wall construction.
On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court decision with a 5-
4 ruling, writing that the government had “made a sufficient showing at this
stage” that the groups did not have the standing to challenge the allocation
of funds.
The ruling will allow Trump temporary access to some $2.5 billion for the
project while the legal battles play out.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) immediately vowed to seek an
expedited decision from the Ninth Circuit “to halt the irreversible and
imminent damage from Trump’s border wall.”
“Border communities, the environment, and our Constitution’s separation of
powers will be permanently harmed should Trump get away with pillaging
military funds for a xenophobic border wall Congress denied,” said Dror
Ladin, attorney with the ACLU’s national security project.
Trump made the construction of a wall to stem illegal immigration from
Latin America central to his successful 2016 campaign for the presidency.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0812 hrs