NPR

FACT CHECK: Can Trump Use Emergency Powers To Build The Wall?

President Trump has suggested that if he can't reach a compromise with congressional Democrats over funding for border security, he might invoke presidential powers instead. What could Congress do?
President Trump's border wall prototypes are seen from Tijuana in Baja California state, Mexico, on Monday. Trump has said he may invoke emergency powers to build a border wall if Congress doesn't agree to his demand for funding.

President Trump has suggested that he might resort to using "emergency" powers to build his border wall if he is not able to reach agreement on funding with congressional Democrats.

"We are looking at it very strongly," Trump told reporters on Sunday. "We're looking at a national emergency, because we have a national emergency."

The president does have broad powers to act in a

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