Trump’s Wall Hail Mary: Using Executive Power
President Trump is correct to declare a national emergency in the face of a stultifying and out-of-touch Congress that has done next to nothing to shore up our borders (“Great barrier ‘grief,’ ” Feb. 16).
America has always been a haven for immigrants seeking a better life here and will continue to be. However, our nation is suffering from an onslaught of illegal immigrants, who do not respect our laws and who, in many cases, are bringing drugs, weapons, human traffic and violence into our country.
We are a civilized nation because of laws that preserve the rights of our citizenry, and Americans have a right to be protected within our borders.
The key goal is to create a deterrent that will at least stem the flow of illegal immigrants and even spare their lives by stopping them from crossing treacherous desert regions on our border.
Michael Pravica
Henderson, Nev.
Trump declared a national emergency, followed that up almost immediately by stating, “I didn’t need to do this, but I’d rather do it much faster” and then left Washington to play golf.
As a simple taxpayer, I’m left scratching my head, trying to figure out just what the courts will be reviewing when this ends up at their feet.
Are they going to be required to review the definition of what constitutes an emergency? Trump’s own statements should help define whether this is or is not an emergency.
Will the courts be required to review the untruths that Trump continues to advance, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary?
This entire exercise (just like shutting down the government) is nothing but an attempt to rescue a failed campaign promise.
Maybe Mexico is paying for his golf, because it certainly isn’t paying for anything else.
Matthew Fleisig
Huntington
Border security — whether you call it walls, barriers, fences, etc. — and requiring documentation and vetting of immigrants is a national emergency.
I agree with Trump. We should secure our own borders instead of spending billions and risking the loss and injury of our soldiers to fight cultural and religious wars in the Middle East. We should defend our own land and people.
Suzanne Chute
Manhattan
To use executive action to build the wall under the guise of a “national emergency for humanitarian reasons” is wrong.
Helping Puerto Rico, which lost lives in Hurricane Maria and has not quite recovered, is a national emergency and humanitarian effort.
Helping cities and states around the country that have experienced natural disasters is a cause for national emergency. To divert funds allocated for legitimate purposes is wrong.
Today, everyone knows that the wall is just symbolic. It’s meant to reinforce Trump’s egocentric agenda and to keep his poorly thought-out campaign promise and save face among his base and media supporters.
Michael Costagliola
Monroe Township, NJ
Trump’s declaration of a “national emergency” to stop the invasion of immigrants crossing our southern border is right on. Why have America’s vets been mostly silent as they watch the Democratic Party surrender our nation’s sovereignty?
The enemy is no longer 10,000 miles away. He is right here in Democratic sanctuary cities that protect the invaders.
Ed Moffitt
Brooklyn
Last Friday, Trump stood in the Rose Garden declaring a “national emergency” due to the influx of immigrants crossing our southern border from Latin America. A few hours later, at a warehouse in Aurora, Ill., a terminated employee used a pistol to kill five workers and injure five police officers.
Trump is attempting to convince us that a nonproblem at the southern border is so grave that a national emergency must be invoked. But nothing can be done about the daily shootings we experience because the Second Amendment is absolute. Mr. President, the border crossing is not the problem: It’s the gun lobby.
Bill King
Elizabeth, NJ
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