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Date Announced
Sept. 3, 2019Defense Secretary Mark Esper agrees to divert $3.6 billion from 127 military construction projects to instead fund President Trump's border wall. Half of the $3.6 billion was for construction projects in the United States, and the other half for projects in foreign countries. [ID #427]
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Subsequent Action
January 14, 2020President Trump plans to divert an additional $7.2 billion in military funding for the construction of a wall on the southern border, according to two people familiar with the plans, as officials rush to show major progress on his signature campaign promise in time for the 2020 election. The money would be stripped from Defense Department construction and counterdrug projects, the officials said, and amounts to even more than the billions the administration transferred from the Pentagon last year to pay for Mr. Trump’s border wall.
NY Times: Trump Plans to Divert Additional $7.2 Billion From Military to Wall -
Subsequent Action
July 31, 2020By a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court declined to lift a stay that prohibited the federal government from spending certain federal funds on construction while a legal challenge to the wall continues. On Oct. 19, 2020 the Supreme Court grants cert in Sierra Club v. Trump and California v. Trump cases. See SCOTUS Docket No. 20-138. On Feb. 3, 2021, SCOTUS cancelled the upcoming oral argument in a brief order responding to the new administration's request for time to assess "the legality of the funding and contracting methods used to construct the wall."
Supreme Court allows border-wall construction to continue
**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.** -
Subsequent Action
October 9, 2020Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision holding that Section 2808 did not authorize the challenged border wall construction projects.
**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.**
Sierra Club v. Trump, No. 19-17501 (9th Cir., Oct. 9, 2020). -
Subsequent Action
December 4, 2020In parallel litigation in Texas, the District Court preliminarily enjoined the diversion of military funds to border wall construction. However, a split Fifth Circuit reversed the injunction on appeal, and dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction, saying that the plaintiffs lacked standing. According to the majority, neither El Paso County, nor the organization Border Network for Human Rights, had standing to bring the challenge. El Paso County, Texas et al. v. Trump et al., 19-cv-51144, (5th Cir., Dec. 4, 2020).
**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.**
El Paso County v. Trump -
Subsequent Action
The Trump administration has notified Congress that it plans to divert $3.8 billion from the Defense Department's budget to build the border wall. The move drew bipartisan criticism, including from the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry.
Trump Administration Diverts $3.8 Billion In Pentagon Funding To Border Wall
Prior Policies
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The funding was originally planned for military construction projects. A U.S. Code provision regarding construction authority in the event of a declaration of war or national emergency, 10 U.S.C. § 2808, allows the defense secretary, during national emergencies requiring the use of the armed forces, to carry out construction projects in support of the troops without the approval of Congress.
10 U.S.C. § 2808 - Construction authority in the event of a declaration of war or national emergency
Subsequent Actions
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Associated or Derivative Policies
Documents
- New Policy Document
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Prior Policy Document
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Subsequent Action Document
Original Source
Supreme Court allows border-wall construction to continue
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Subsequent Action Document
Original Source
Sierra Club v. Trump, No. 19-17501 (9th Cir., Oct. 9, 2020).
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Subsequent Action Document
Original Source
Split 5th Circ. Shuts Down Challenge To Trump Border Wall