Trump will visit the border wall on the heels of Capitol Hill riot

Trump will visit the border wall on the heels of Capitol Hill riot

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Trump is expected to travel to the Alamo, Texas, near the border on Tuesday to complete more than 450 km of wall – a journey that caters to the supporters who appointed him in 2016, despite rising tensions nationwide and a raging pandemic.

The border wall, which Trump has repeatedly cited as an achievement over the past four years, has cost U.S. taxpayers – not Mexico – billions and become the hallmark of the president’s immigration policy, which largely shut the U.S. off from immigrants and refugees. .

On the eve of the visit, Mayor Jim Darling of neighboring McAllen, Texas, acknowledged that tensions were high. This will be Trump’s first public appearance since speaking at the National Mall last Wednesday, shortly before his supporters forced their way to the US Capitol.

“I understand that emotions are high on both sides, for or against, the president, and I hope that if there are demonstrations for or against, it is peaceful with regard to our law enforcement staff,” Darling said.
Since January 2017, about $ 15 billion has been identified to build about 738 miles of boundary wall through various funds, including those made available by Trump’s declaration of a national emergency.

Of the approximately 453 miles, the majority replace old, dilapidated barriers with a new improved wall system, a clear difference from the fencing previously built in some regions. Forty-seven kilometers went up according to Customs and Border Protection where previously no obstacles existed.

In the waning days of Trump’s presidency, the White House continues to push relevant federal agencies to oblige funds available for the wall, regardless of whether land has been acquired for construction, CNN has learned – a move apparently intended to secure funds make before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.

Customs and Border Protection said last week that it was continuing to award border wall contracts, including in areas where no private land had been acquired, an unusual move that would hamper Biden’s promise to halt construction.
Former Home Secretary acting Chad Wolf has repeatedly pointed out the boundary wall and the pace of construction. Wolf resigned Monday, citing ongoing lawsuits disputing the validity of his appointment.
The Trump administration has taken a series of steps to erect additional barriers along the southern border, including declaring a national state of emergency to gain access to additional funds, dozens of lawsuits to acquire private land, submits and environments and waive contracting laws to expedite construction.

While construction was underway, the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security repeatedly rotated and those at the top were often in a position to place the president’s whims on the border wall, according to a former DHS official, who quoted pressure to paint the wall black. and add nails even though they have no operational value.

Trump’s wall will probably still be a point of contention for the new government.

“Building a wall will do little to deter criminals and cartels who want to exploit our borders,” reads Biden’s plan. “Instead of stealing resources from military children’s schools and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, Biden will direct federal resources to smart border enforcement efforts, such as investing in improving screening infrastructure at our ports of entry, which will keep America safer.”

According to a Homeland Security official, Biden’s pledge to halt construction has sparked discussions among Customs and Border Protection officials about what would happen in that case. A U.S. official has previously told CNN that some contracts could be amended and government attorneys are discussing what happens to the acquisition of private land, but no decisions have been made.

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