US Supreme Court allows Trump to use $2.5bn in defence funds for border wall

The US Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to redirect $2.5bn in money approved by Congress for the Pentagon to help build his promised wall along the US-Mexico border.  The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the funds to be used. “Big win for border security and the rule of the law” Trump tweeted after the verdict.

“ The diversion of military funds for border wall construction will wall off and destroy communities, public lands, and waters”, Gloria Smith an attorney for the Sierra Club, which sued to block the funds.

 Mr Trump had declared on 15 February a national emergency in a bid to fund the wall without congressional approval, an action Democrats said exceeded his powers and usurped Congress’ authority.

The administration has also pledged to redirect $6.7bn from the Departments of Defense and Treasury toward wall construction after failing to persuade Congress to provide the money.