Declares national emergency to fund border wall

Calling it "a great thing to do," Trump declared a national emergency to divert $8 billion in federal funds (including $3.6 billion from military construction) to build a border wall after Congress appropriated only $1.375 billion. The declaration came after a 35-day government shutdown failed to secure his demanded funding. Legal experts and even Republican allies criticized the move as constitutional overreach. A federal judge later ruled Trump violated the law with this emergency declaration.

"a great thing to do" — Rose Garden press conference announcing emergency declaration