The U.S. Department of Defense stated on Tuesday it does not intend to help build a border wall with Mexico, although President Donald Trump has been insisting that the army will build it if Congress does not fund his project.
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"As of Tuesday, the Defense Department has not been tasked with building a border wall," said Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.
This clarification comes at a time when the White House and the Congress have entered into a tug-of-war due to the Law of State Budgets. President Trump could use this impasse to justify a "shut down" of the government on Dec. 21.
U.S. President assured that he will not sign a budget that does not include US$5 billion for building parts of the border wall. Mr. Trump also stated a willingness to order the U.S. Army to build it.
I really want to see a poll of how many Republicans believe that a new wall has been built on the southern border. Because it hasn’t, no matter how many times Trump says it has. It’s almost all to repair existing barriers or fences. But his base believes the truth is what he says https://t.co/kCrz7kLPUA
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) December 11, 2018
"If we don't get what we want, one way or the other, whether it's through you, through the military, through anything you want to call it, I will shut down the government," Trump said, during a meeting with Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi.
Ted Lieu, a Democratic lawmaker, stressed that if Trump turns to the U.S. Army he will have to submit himself to congressional approval.
"Dear @realDonaldTrump: Are you referring to the Mexican military? Because if you want US taxpayers to fund your stupid wall, you need Congress to appropriate the funds," the congressman wrote on his Twitter account.
Lt. Col. Davis also clarified that the current legislation allows the Pentagon to finance border barrier projects, provided it is in support of anti-drugs missions or in case of national emergency.