Congress’ two top Democrats say they’ll use “every remedy available” to oppose President Donald Trump’s declaration of an emergency to shift billions of federal dollars into building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday they’ll take action “in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the public.”
They say Trump’s decision to declare an emergency is unlawful. They say it would “shred the Constitution” by usurping Congress’ power to control spending.
WATCH: President Trump declares national emergency on the U.S./Mexico border
White House officials say some of the money would come from military construction projects. Pelosi and Schumer say Trump would be using money needed “for the security of our military and our nation.”
Democrats can file lawsuits and force congressional votes to block Trump’s money transfers. Trump could veto the legislation should it pass.
Trump says he expects legal challenges to his decision to declare a national emergency to erect barriers between the U.S. and Mexico but says he’ll be vindicated.
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Trump announced Friday that he has signed the appropriate paperwork to declare an emergency on the border so he can build the wall.
WATCH: Trump on next step after national emergency declaration, ‘We get sued’Dem
In a sing-songy tone of voice, Trump then described how the decision will be challenged and work its way through the courts, including up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Critics have accused Trump of abusing his authority.
Trump says he shouldn’t be sued but predicted “we will be very successful in court.”
He adds: “Sadly, we’ll be sued and sadly it will go through a process and happily we’ll win.”
Meanwhile, officials in California and New York voiced intentions to bring legal cases against Trump’s declaration.
“We will not stand for this abuse of power and will fight back with every legal tool at our disposal,” New York’s Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.
“California will see you in court,” Gov. Gavin Newsome declared.
— With files from Reuters, Global News.
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