Trump threatens to hold his own border wall hostage
President Trump followed up a major legal victory for his border wall by tweeting that he has decided to withhold "sections" from California until the entire structure is approved. Trump declared in the same Wednesday tweet: "OUR COUNTRY MUST HAVE BORDER SECURITY!"
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel rejected an argument by California and environmental groups that claimed the federal government had overstepped its bounds by waiving requirements for the sake of building the wall. "Congress gave authority to the Department of Homeland Security to construct a border wall without delay to prevent illegal entry into the United States, and we are pleased DHS can continue this important work vital to our nation's interests," said Justice Department spokesman Devin O'Malley.
Congress has not yet funded the wall, and despite Trump's repeated promises that Mexico will foot the bill, that plan seems to have so far made no headway.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Making sense of the week's political news, delivered every Wednesday
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.