Donald Trump has been making rumblings about using his presidential power to declare a national emergency should he not get $5.7 billion for his southern border wall. He shut the country down for 35 days with an initial $11 billion price tag, and more to come. This time, the Democrats are ready for him.
The Democratic party knows that if Trump tries to declare an unnecessary national emergency which by definition he cannot plan for just to get his way, that would be illegal. Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff (D-CA) spoke to TPM Livewire:
‘Schiff suggests will use intel chiefs’ testimony if Trump tries national emergency card.’
Schiff suggests will use intel chiefs’ testimony if Trump tries national emergency card pic.twitter.com/XramYDqbk3
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) January 30, 2019
Schiff also appeared on MSNBC and was dead serious about the problem with Trump and national security:
‘The fact that none of the intel chiefs brought up a threat at the southern border as being one of the most pressing threats facing the country, that could be Exhibit A in a challenge to any kind of a declaration of a national emergency.’
Schiff’s statement showed how Democrats plan to handle Trump. If the president tries to declare a national emergency, they will prove that that POTUS is overreaching his power in the Executive Branch. He would be subverting the “Constitutional separation of powers in the U.S. government.”
Senators grilled both Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Gina Haspel and The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats during the Senate Intelligence Committee. The issue was global threats to America including Russia and China joining forces and the continuing threat of ISIS.
Schiff (D-CA) noted that the testimony of these two top intelligence officials offered evidence against a border emergency, that it was “a central exhibit” of proof against Trump’s emergency order. The representative continued:
‘…that none of the intelligence agencies think” there is an “emergency” at the border, adding “both parties don’t think this is an emergency. I think, if anything, it is going to undermine that legal case that the president may try to make, that hearing yesterday could be a central exhibit.’
One of Trump’s most resonant campaign promises was and continues to be “Build The Wall.” POTUS uses this chant to rev up his rally audiences. The only problem with it was that he promised Mexico would pay for the wall. Mexico said no, more than once.
Since Trump closed down the government, the polls have been reflecting his declining popularity, even among his base. The truth is that Americans do not want a border wall. They know that the bad guys will go over, around, and under the wall if they want to get into the U.S.
The president finally decided to open the government without his wall, but ultra-conservative talk show hosts attacked him, calling him the wimpiest president. Democrats have no intention of a repeat performance or a new national emergency declaration.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
