Trump defends emergency declaration to fund wall

Saturday, 16 February 2019 10:42

In a statement delivered at the White House Rose Garden, he said "walls work" and that an invasion of drugs, gangs and people is unacceptable.

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to use emergency powers to fund a wall on the US border with Mexico.

In a statement delivered at the White House Rose Garden, he said "walls work" and that an invasion of drugs, gangs and people is unacceptable.

Senior Democrats have already vowed to challenge the move through the US legal system.

Building the wall was a key promise of Trump's election campaign in 2016.

However Democrats say declaring a state of emergency to secure funding to build it is a "gross abuse of power".

Congress had previously refused to pay for the wall in the national spending bill.

The latest development gives Trump access to billions of dollars for his project.

More from International

US, Iran at odds on nuclear inspections, frozen assets in deal to end war

US President Donald Trump has stated on Tuesday that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity," while Tehran said it had made no such concession in negotiations, raising questions about the viability of their fragile peace deal.
Oman establishes temporary shipping corridor through Strait of Hormuz

Oman has coordinated with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to establish a temporary maritime corridor for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to its local news agency.
Power cuts in France leave thousands sweltering amid scorching heatwave

Authorities in northern France were scrambling on Wednesday to restore electricity to thousands of homes hit by power cuts amid a blistering heatwave that has scorched much of western Europe for days.
Libya's eastern government bans entry of nationals from four African countries

Libya’s eastern-based government has banned the entry of nationals of four African countries on Tuesday, a decision a government source said was due to a "reorganisation of foreign nationals’ entry to Libya".
New Lebanon-Israel talks begin in shadow of US-Iran deal

Lebanon and Israel began a new round of talks on Tuesday in Washington, with Beirut determined to press ahead with direct negotiations even as they appear to be overshadowed by Iran's decision to make Lebanon part of its talks with the US.