President Trump’s most infamous campaign promise – a fortified wall at the border with Mexico – has been the focal point of a recent 18-day federal government shutdown. The wall was one of President Trump’s main campaign platforms and has been responsible for whipping up supporters in his favour during his 2016 trail. He has been eager to deliver on his promise but is currently lacking the apporpriate funds. And in what seems a last ditch desperate attempt to build the wall and relieve government shutdown, Mr Trump is threatening national emergency.
Will Donald Trump declare a national emergency?
President Trump is expected to make a case tomorrow for a “crisis” developing on the US border.
Scheduled for 2am on January 8, the prime time address will be directed at Democrats and government workers, hoping to convince them to back a new batch of funding for the project.
These Oval Office remarks will go live in the USA across all major television networks at 9pm EST this evening, which has led Democrats to request their own allocated slot.
Vice President Mike Pence addressed the public, stating the President will address current security concerns making the wall a necessity.
He said: “We made progress in establishing the fact that we do have a humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border.
“The president will address that as he speaks to the nation.”
Just last month, President Trump said he would risk leaving the government shut down for months or years until lawmakers arrive at a funding agreement.
The decision would put considerable strain on the federal government’s 800,000 strong workforce, which is currently functioning without pay.
Negotiations are still ongoing in Congress, where Democrats have declared Mr Trump’s wall immoral and expensive.
Whether or not President Trump decides to declare a national emergency remains to be seen.
In the mean time, he will continue to make his case, and is set to journey to the southern border for this purpose come January 10.
The latest assertions from Mr Trump come in just days following the president declaring much of the wall is built.
Tweeting on January 2, the Mr Trump said: “Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal.
“Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built.
“We have done a lot of work. $5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback!”