United States Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump to use $2.5 billion of Pentagon funds to build a section of wall along its southern line, an issue which had led to the longest government shutdown in history.
In a five-to-four ruling, the Supreme Court overturned an appellate decision and said that the Trump administration could tap the money while litigation over the matter proceeds.
An ecstatic Trump tweeted, “Wow! Big VICTORY on the wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!”
The wall, dividing the US and Mexico, was Mr Trump’s major campaign promise during the 2016 elections. He had repeatedly argued that it would help to curb illegal immigration which fuelled crime and placed a strain on the US economy.
Differences over the wall had turned so grave that the US President had declared an Emergency from December 2018 to January 25, 2019, the longest government shutdown in history. Mr Trump had said that US needed $6.7bn to build the wall for national security.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “This evening’s Supreme Court ruling allowing Donald Trump to steal military funds to spend on a wasteful, ineffective border wall rejected by Congress is deeply flawed. Our Founders designed a democracy governed by the people – not a monarchy.” (UNI)
