EMERGENCY SPARKS NEW DIVIDE IN GoP

Washington, Feb. 16: US President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to build his long-promised border wall ends one political problem for the White House and its allies on Capitol Hill, but launches another.

Republicans are deeply torn over Trump’s decision to invoke executive power after Congress denied him money he wanted for the wall along the Southern border. Some are backing the President, while others are vehemently opposed to what they see as constitutional overreach, setting up a potential showdown that adds to already expected legal challenges.

“I don't believe a national emergency declaration is the solution,” said Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who warned of taking the country down a “rabbit hole” with future presidents seizing unchecked executive power.

“No crisis justifies violating the Constitution,” said Senator Marco Rubio. Senator Lamar Alexander, said “Declaring an emergency is unnecessary, and inconsistent with the US Constitution.”

It’s an outcome Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leadership warned Trump against. For days, they publicly urged him not to declare an emergency. But with Trump’s signature on it, Republicans are falling in line behind Trump.