The Justice Department warned the White House that President Trump’s national emergency declaration will likely be blocked by the courts, at least temporarily, according to a report Thursday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., disclosed earlier in the day the president intended to declare a national emergency in order to obtain funding to build his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall because a spending and border security bill lacked Trump’s requested funding.
Democrats and some Republicans have indicated Trump’s move will be challenged in court. ABC News reported the Justice Department told the White House Trump’s move to circumvent Congress would likely be blocked on a temporary basis.
A senior White House official told the news outlet the White House has confidence Trump’s use of executive powers would win on appeal.
“We’re very prepared, but there shouldn’t be [legal challenges]. The president’s doing his job. Congress should do theirs,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters.
