Trump considering 'dipping into California, Puerto Rico disaster funds' to pay for border wall if he declares emergency
President Donald Trump has reportedly been briefed on a plan on that could see him divert a portion of $13.9 billion from civil works projects, including reconstruction works in hurricane-affected Puerto Rico, to build the wall on the border with Mexico.
The president reportedly discussed the plan with the Department of Defense officials onboard Air Force One on Thursday while flying to the southern border, according to NBC, which cited three officials who were briefed about the discussion.
A congressional aide, while talking to the AP, said a sum of $13.9 billion was allocated in emergency funds to the Army Corps of Engineers for multiple projects in California, Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and other states, which experienced hurricanes, wildfires or other natural disasters last year.