Attorney General Becerra Files New Motion to Block President Trump’s Unlawful Diversion of Funding

Trump Administration attempting to use funds for border wall in El Centro, California

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, leading a coalition of 20 states, filed a motion for preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration from initiating an unlawful diversion of $1.5 billion to build a border wall in El Centro, California.

“President Trump’s power is not unlimited,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The President’s maneuver to divert taxpayer dollars meant to support Americans in their communities violates the Constitution and risks critical services reaching hardworking taxpayers and their families.”

This action comes less than a week after a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California found the states would be likely to succeed in their challenge that President Trump’s diversion of Department of Defense Funding toward the wall is unlawful. The same ruling stated the President’s action would likely violate the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers principle.

In the motion, the states argue that the Trump Administration is using funds neither authorized nor appropriated by Congress for border wall construction, and that California’s environment, wildlife, and natural resources would suffer extensive harm from the diversion of funding.

A copy of the motion can be found here.