Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Tonight, Donald Trump will declare an unlawful state of emergency, in addition to signing a budget that includes more than 55 miles of border wall. Desperate for further funds for the unpopular wall, Trump’s declaration will reallocate money from other essential government programs and force taxpayers to fund the dangerous, divisive border wall that caused a three-week government shutdown.
McAllen, TX, where Trump recently visited in an attempt to manufacture a crisis, is listed as one of the safest towns in the country by the FBI. McAllen and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley have been the epicenter of the administration-caused humanitarian crisis on the border. Every Congressperson who represents border communities and a large majority of Americans-- especially those on the border--reject walls and barriers.
Trump’s announcement is expected to be met by numerous legal challenges, including action from the Sierra Club. Details to come.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“Donald Trump’s illegal national emergency declaration is one of the most shocking, dangerous, and damaging abuses of power by any president in our country’s history. It’s a blatant violation of the Constitution’s separation of powers-- and all for an unnecessary, unwanted, and racially motivated border wall. This is one of the lowest lows for the institution of the presidency. The Sierra Club will take swift legal action against Trump’s declaration.
“We are repulsed by this unprecedented attack on the borderlands and on our democracy, and we intend to resist it with every tool possible. Meanwhile, Congress and the Courts must be the check on this abuse of executive power.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.