Trump is exploring 'creative ways' to fund the wall without Congress


Just because President Trump didn't declare a national emergency during his address Tuesday doesn't mean that he's not still considering it, along with some other extreme options.
In fact, a source close to Trump told Axios that the president declaring a national emergency to get his border wall funded without congressional approval "remains the most likely ultimate option." Trump said last week he's open to this after ABC News reported that the administration was considering such a move. "Absolutely we can call a national emergency because of the security of our country," Trump said. "Absolutely." White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also said Wednesday that a national emergency declaration is "certainly still on the table," per CBS News' Mark Knoller.
This controversial option would involve Trump redirecting government resources and getting the wall funded without approval from Congress. Axios reports that the White House Office of Management and Budget is "exploring" a variety of "creative ways" to get the wall funded without Congress, including using money from the Pentagon.
Subscribe to 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
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The legality of any of these steps would almost certainly be challenged, and Axios notes that conservatives around Trump "don't like what they view as an abuse of this authority." In Trump's Oval Office address, he claimed there is "a growing humanitarian and security crisis" at the border, attempting to put pressure on Democrats to agree to fund his wall, a showdown over which sparked the ongoing government shutdown. He said last week that although there may be other options to secure funding, he's giving negotiating with Congress "a shot."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
August 3 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include a human data center, Donald Trump's enterprising spirit, and more
-
5 darkly funny cartoons about Israel blocking aid to Gaza
Cartoons Artists take on forcing famine, avoiding aid, and more
-
The easy elegance of Cap Ferret
The Week Recommends 'Elemental and otherworldly' destination is loved for its natural beauty
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein