Trump says he might declare a national emergency to get the wall funded

President Trump says that if negotiations with Democrats don't work out, he may opt to build his border wall without Congress' approval.

Trump in a press conference Friday was asked if he has considered declaring a national emergency to get the wall built, and he confirmed that he has. "And I can do it if I want," Trump added. "Absolutely we can call a national emergency because of the security of our country. Absolutely."

Trump went further to say that he "may" do this, although he'd apparently prefer to get the wall funded by negotiating with Congress. "We're giving that a shot," Trump said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

This question came just after ABC News published a report that Trump is "seriously considering" this option. Democrats have repeatedly refused to provide Trump with the $5 billion in border wall funding he has requested, while Trump threatens to leave the government shut down for "years" if they don't cave. He has previously referenced the state of border security as a "national emergency."