Pentagon approves $1 billion for Trump’s wall, Democrats cry foul

Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan on March 25 announced that the department has authorised $1 billion towards construction of a part of the wall along the US-Mexico border proposed by US President Donald Trump.

A Pentagon budget reprogramming sent to Capitol Hill on March 25 mentions that up to $ 1 billion will be spent on building almost 92km of the 18-foot-high wall and improving roads on the southern border.

Trump in February had declared a national emergency to funnel funds towards the construction of the wall. He directed the use of counter-drug funds to partially fund the construction of the wall. Under the national emergency, other funds can also be dedicated to building the wall and related infrastructure, including military construction funds. The allocation of $ 1 billion is just the first instalment of the funding process.

Shanahan also “authorised the commander of the US Army corps of engineers to begin planning and executing up to $1 billion in support to the department of homeland security and customs and border patrol,” a Pentagon statement read.

The decision, which aims to block drug smuggling from Mexico, has invited severe criticisms from Democratic lawmakers. Democratic senators on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s subcommittees on defense and military construction and veterans affairs among other departments have signed a letter written to Shanahan objecting the transfer of $1 billion of personnel funds towards construction of the wall. The senators say the Pentagon did not seek permission before notifying the committee of the transfer.