Democratic presidential candidates rushed to denounce President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE on Thursday after the White House announced the president’s plans to declare a national emergency to fund his demand to build a border wall.
Sens. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Warren, Pressley introduce bill to make it a crime for police officers to deny medical care to people in custody Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers MORE (D-N.Y.) joined a chorus of their Democratic colleagues in denouncing Trump’s plan,
“Trump’s inability to follow through on a campaign promise is not a national emergency,” Booker tweeted.
Trump’s inability to follow through on a campaign promise is not a national emergency.
Let’s not forget those still struggling to rebuild their lives after this administration failed to respond effectively to real emergencies in places like Puerto Rico. https://t.co/NMSRnvKJQF
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 14, 2019
“Declaring a national emergency over this President’s vanity project is ridiculous. We don’t need a wall. Instead, we should address the actual emergencies facing our country — everything from gun violence to the opioid crisis,” Harris tweeted soon after.
Declaring a national emergency over this President’s vanity project is ridiculous. We don’t need a wall. Instead, we should address the actual emergencies facing our country — everything from gun violence to the opioid crisis.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 14, 2019
“Gun violence is an emergency. Climate change is an emergency. Our country’s opioid epidemic is an emergency. Donald Trump’s ridiculous wall is not an emergency,” Warren said in a tweet.
Gun violence is an emergency.
Climate change is an emergency.
Our country’s opioid epidemic is an emergency.Donald Trump’s ridiculous wall is not an emergency.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 14, 2019
“An outrageous abuse of power—not to mention waste of taxpayer dollars—if he goes through with this ludicrous idea. Drop the absurd wall and do your job,” Gillibrand said.
An outrageous abuse of power—not to mention waste of taxpayer dollars—if he goes through with this ludicrous idea. Drop the absurd wall and do your job. https://t.co/kEWdIXjNjr
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 14, 2019
The White House and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.) announced Thursday that Trump will sign a spending bill that allots $1.375 billion for roughly 55 miles of new barriers along the southern border, but said the president will also declare a national emergency to make up the remainder of the $5.7 billion he had initially demanded.
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All four 2020 candidates voted against the funding bill.
Trump had threatened for weeks to declare a national emergency to secure border wall funding and follow-through on one of his signature campaign promises. The declaration of a national emergency is expected to draw legal challenges.
“We’re very prepared, but there shouldn’t be [legal challenges]. The president’s doing his job. Congress should do theirs,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.
Several Republicans in both chambers, meanwhile, have called on the White House to avoid the declaration. McConnell said Thursday he would support the president.
Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (D) signaled that Democrats will fight Trump on the plan.
“There is word the president will declare a national emergency. I hope he won’t. That would be a very wrong thing to do,” he said, adding that he and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) will issue a more formal response “in short order.”
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The emergency declaration is subject to a resolution of disapproval, which must pass both chambers and requires Trump’s signature.