A federal judge just ruled that the Biden administration cannot divert money that was specifically allocated to build a border wall under Trump.
Biden wanted to use that money for other things, of course.
This does not mean that Biden has to end the wall, and of course he will not do that. But this also means he can't touch the money.
The Washington Times reports:
Judge orders Biden to stop diverting border wall funds
A federal judge on Friday shot down the Biden administration's plans to divert money from border wall construction to other projects such as environmental remediation, ruling that they appeared to violate the law.
Judge Drew B. said: Tipton Congress decides how money is spent, and when it wrote the spending bills for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, it allocated nearly $1.4 billion each year to build walls. The president trampled on that when he decided to spend wall construction money on “repair projects.”
The government said it should have discretion to spend the money, and said repair projects were subordinate to the wall and should be allowed.
However, Judge Tipton said the way Congress wrote the law was quite specific in saying the money should go to barriers along the border.
“The central question in this case then is: Has the government allocated funds for FY 2020 and FY 2021 to ‘build’ [a] Barrier system? The answer is largely no, the judge concluded.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton commented on Twitter/X:
Today I obtained a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration's attempt to illegally redirect legally obligated funds away from building a border wall. Biden has acted completely inappropriately by refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress… https://t.co/MGBJD2nOya
– Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 9, 2024
This is great news.
BREAKING: A new injunction has been obtained barring President Biden from using $1.4 billion in border wall funds on unrelated projects, until the border is secured. pic.twitter.com/0PbdtMw3g3
– Patrick Webb (@RealPatrickWebb) March 9, 2024
BREAKING: In 2020, Congress passed the Act @potos To end President Trump's border wall.
We just got a court order preventing him from illegally using your tax dollars for pet projects while the borders remain open.
Biden should use the money to finish the border wall
– Attorney General Andrew Bailey (AGAndrewBailey) March 8, 2024
This does not solve the border crisis, but it is a positive development. At least the money will still be there.
