Biden administration to return billions in border wall funding diverted from Pentagon
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Biden administration is returning to the Pentagon more than $14 billion diverted by the Trump administration to build the wall at the southwestern border, and plans to cancel all related construction contracts, an administration official told ABC News on Friday.
Amid its ongoing review to determine the fate of Trump's border wall, the Biden administration also said it would launch two new projects along the 1,900-mile U.S.-Mexico border: one to fill holes in the Rio Grande Valley levee system left by the wall construction project, and another to address soil erosion in a 14-mile stretch of barrier construction by the Trump administration near San Diego, California.
MORE: After pledging not to build up Trump's border wall, Biden's intentions remain unclear© John Moore/Getty Images A portion of U.S.-Mexico border wall stands unfinished, April 14, 2021, near La Joya, Texas.
Neither project would involve building new border fencing, the administration official told ABC News. It's not yet clear when the Biden administration will complete its review of the overall Trump-era project.
"As Federal agencies continue to review the problems created by the prior Administration's border wall construction and develop their plans, today they will start taking initial steps consistent with the President's Proclamation to reaffirm our commitment to the military and protect border communities," the official said in a statement.
© John Moore/Getty Images Unused pieces of steel bollard-style wall lay near a portion of unfinished border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, April 14, 2021, La Joya, Texas.
Lawmakers from both parties, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, have called on the Biden administration to address the gaps left in the federal levee system in southern Texas ahead of hurricane season, to help prevent flooding. Angry local officials threatened to plug the gaps themselves and seek reimbursement from the federal government down the line.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement later Friday afternoon it was acting to "protect border communities."
"Construction under the prior administration blew large holes into the Rio Grande Valley's flood barrier system to make way for a border wall. The flood barrier system had long provided low-lying regions of Hidalgo County, Texas, protection from catastrophic flooding, and these breaches have threatened local communities. DHS will start work to quickly repair the flood barrier system to protect border communities. This work will not involve expanding the border barrier," the DHS statement said.
The Defense Department will use the reclaimed military funds -- seized by the Trump administration in several tranches after Democrats refused to back Trump's calls for additional money for wall construction -- for the hundreds of domestic and overseas projects originally approved by Congress, including military schools and warehouses.
"Consistent with the President's proclamation, the Department of Defense is proceeding with canceling all border barrier construction projects paid for with funds originally intended for other military missions and functions such as schools for military children, overseas military construction projects in partner nations, and the National Guard and Reserve equipment account," Jamal Brown, deputy Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement. "Today's action reflects this Administration's continued commitment to defending our nation and supporting our service members and their families."
© John Moore/Getty ImagesMORE: Migrant surge at border poses political threat to Biden
President Joe Biden is still facing pressure from local border communities and both parties to announce his plans for Trump's signature project. Republicans have called on him to complete the wall amid the ongoing surge in migrants seeking to cross into the United States.
Democrats want the president to keep his campaign trail promise to unwind the project and return confiscated border land to property owners.
It's not clear what the administration will do with the land where construction was slated to be funded with Pentagon money.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that more than $14 billion is being returned to the Pentagon, not more than $17 billion.
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The Defense Department will use the reclaimed military funds -- seized by the Trump administration in several tranches after Democrats refused to back Trump's calls for additional money for wall construction -- for the hundreds of domestic and overseas projects originally approved by Congress, including military schools and warehouses.
Dormitories could use that money
Nothing is too good for the military members who volunteer to stand in between us and those who want to do us harm. It includes their families, who often get the crap-end of the stick when it comes to support, monetary and otherwise.
Good, put it towards something that will be useful.
looks like all the trump gravy trains for past campaign contributions have left the station.
In addition, Trump pardoned Steve Bannon, the guy who started a wall funding campaign, and then stole all the money. Trump and lots of his pallies laughed all the way to the bank.
I found this post by piratecheese13 on Reddit and thought it was clever:
We’re going to build a wall and Mexico is gonna pay for it.
Actually never mind we’re going to build a wall and you’re going to pay for it.
Actually never mind we’re just gonna take your money.
great link.
What Dev said.
It's also depressing to think there are scads of fools out there that think that this 'wall' is one of those 'promises made, promises kept' things.
The border is approximately 1954 miles long. 1200 miles, mostly in TX remains void of barricades.
At the end of the Obama Admin we had the legally mandated by Bush, 700 miles of "fence and obstruction".
Mission complete, as they say.
At the end of the Trump Admin we have replaced 452 miles of the 700 miles at an expense of 18 $Billion
none of it paid from Mexico, much of it from military funds, all of it from American taxpayers.
New fences/barrier beyond the Bush 700? 47 new miles of primary border fencing,
with 33 miles of parallel fencing as required in the San Diego corridor.
So we are up to 747 miles. at $24 million a mile and 1207 miles left to go = I think that's $29 billion.
I wonder how many Ellis Islands like institutions we could build along the border, employing how many Americans
while we restrict the flow of everything across that border with higher tech and fast reacting drones and enforcement.
A $29 billion budget sounds like it could go much, much further than erecting 681 thousand tons of steel and burying
900 thousand tons of concrete which will eventually need to be replaced.
All of which can easily be defeated by a $5 ladder by those determined to do so.
We have to think of a better way.
So what's Biden doing to secure the border and slow down the flow of illegals?
You can keep up with info and stats here: U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
nothing really to secure the border and Harris is supposedly talking to foreign leaders to see how we can improve their countries--at our expense, of vourse.
Via zoom. She is afraid to go face to face with any of them.
What a silly comment. Kamala Harris isn't afraid of anyone or anything.
Why is she afraid to go to the southern border?
She has been all over the country since Biden tapped her as the border czar.
Who said she is afraid?
As previously mentioned, the implication is silly.
She has been all over the country since Biden tapped her as the border czar.
She's the Vice President, bugsy. Traveling all over the country is an important part of her job.
So COVID isn't a big deal then?
That is the message she s sending to everyone in the places she goes.
She's afraid to go to the southern border because she knows she will get ridiculed by the people there, or she doesn't care, because if the crisis gets worse, and Biden takes a major hit in the midterms, she can say "I had nothing to do with it. I wasn't even there". And the loons on the left will give her a pass.
OH, yea...
and call everyone that disagrees with her a racist.
Maybe they are.......
What do you think about the idiots calling Tim Scott Uncle Tim and other derogatory names and comments?
Are they racist?
My guess is you don't think so, especially because the ones doing it openly are black...
And we all know blacks can't be racist s/
Haven't you learned by now that only conservatives can be racists?
I have a feeling they think black conservatives are racist towards other blacks.
Wow bugsy.
You invent a scenario, write the dialogue, blame Harris for it and then drop the victim care.
Is there such a thing as a quadfecta?
calling Tim Scott Uncle Tim
Did they? Who'd of thought it....
Your interest in Black Americans these days, is it only for political expediency or have you really turned over a new leaf in an effort to correct the wrongs of the last 400 years?
Funny thing my scenario is quite true.
BTFW...what is a victim care?
New made up leftist shit?
Neither.
I don't care about those that think killing babies in the womb is nothing more than taking care of a parasite, or shoot each other because of different gang affiliations, tennis shoe make or "he looked at me funny".
With the latter, the more the better.
We all hear your dog whistle quite clearly there bug!
Nope, it's a fabrication. But I get it, it's all you've got.
A typo, sue me.
Nothing bug spouts is true. NOTHING.
Why is it that you are the only one that hears these "whistles".
My guess, and I'm normally right, is that you agree with it and answer what you hear.
Never sad it wasn't, but whatever you want to call it, it's still true.
never surprising on who hears the whistles!
Nope....and some hear them louder than others.
I can tell by the nasty ass IMs I receive from one of them.
I don't know how someone can live with so much hate.
maybe they live all alone!
Either you don't know what fabricated means or what true means. Pick one.
Here's some reasons she NEEDS to get her butt in gear and do her job as the "Border Protector".
Kalamity Hairless? That's all you could think of? I'm embarrassed for you. Go back to the drawing board and think of at least one decent, thigh-slapping, Kamala Harris nickname, and don't come back until you have one that makes me laugh. Humor and originality are key.
Oh, I know what they both mean. What's bad for you is I can fabricate anything I believe the left is doing, and 9 times out of 10, I am correct.
In this case, this is one of those 9
Just because YOU don't like it, doesn't make it any less true.
Never bitch at another liberal on this forum about making fun of a conservative woman again
Doesn't fabricate mean "make shit up?" So if you're fabricating shit, you're basically pulling shit out of your ass, right? Nine times out of 10 that makes a person a fucking moron
If right wing conservatives didn't have double standards they'd have no standards at all.
Maybe you can reread 4.2.30 again.
Only fucking morons don't understand what I said.
An alleged 'man'.
Some folks are making the mistake that you provide facts on anything like EVER!
I'm pretty sure you're saying that you make shit up all the time. Now if that's not what it says, then you just called me a fucking moron....
.....and whoa....
Never said that, but nice way of trying to put words on my mouth.
Now, so maybe you will understand.
I came up with a scenario. That scenario is more than likely the truth.
Nothing else from it.
Of course, in contrast, most loon leftists believed the made up scenario of Shitty Schiff "conversation" with the Ukranian president.
So, if you don't believe those people are not fucking morons, then you can't say those that disagree with you are.
And for the soothing of your feelings, I have never referred to anyone here as a fucking moron.
So yes, making things up...
Yes.....good of you to catch up.
That's what a fucking moron would say.
A least you admit making up false scenarios.
Some would call that lying...
The "truth" is what you make it in your own feeble little mind <-------- flag that would you?
I have no feelings so don't you worry about me...but it sure sounded like you were calling someone a fucking moron.
Now this conversation is heading south into Meta. Please have the last word because I know how important that is to you but I'm done toying with you
It has nothing to do with ME bugsy.
Your comment is made from whole cloth and you have nothing factual to support it with.
Never said it was false.
Just because YOU don't like it isn't my problem.
Look, I understand you think OPINIONS need to be backed up by documented facts.
Maybe OPINION is a word you can look up the meaning of.
When you make up something, that is the definition of false.
True to a point. If that scenario comes true, it is no longer false.
Now, go back and reread my 4.2.6 that started this whole leftist meltdown.
It will come true.
Thread 4.2 is locked to prevent it from getting worse
So you admit making things up with the hope they will come true and then complain about a 'leftist' meltdown.
It's ok. I will forever brand you a liar.
He explained that they should not try to come right now.
What? I thought President Biden just threw the border wide open?
Jack shit of nothing outside of blaming Trump for the problem.
Walls have been obsolete since The Middle Ages...
But yet we have them around the Capitol in DC thanks to Pelosi
Liberal hollywood idiots put them up around the Oscars to keep the riff raff out.
Nancy Pelosi has one around her home in San Francisco.
Need I go on?
The Wall on Game of Thrones did not stop White Walkers and Trump's wall failed, too...
Do as Reagan said and, "Tear down that wall".
if walls don't work then humans would have stopped building them centuries ago.
The last walled city was built 700 years ago!
What are your thoughts on the wall Trump built?
not talking about a walled city.
seems like the wall Reagan referred to was pretty effective.
east berlin under soviet control was a "walled " city , that was barely 60 years ago , and the premise wasnt to keep the others out but to keep the needed population to make socialism work IN.
Tex if walls and fences dont work , congress wouldnt have surrounded them selves with one for a few weeks and had armed guards patrolling .
you know that. and I know that, but some of these folks must be blind.
Not if you are going to spread debunked information...
It's a credibility killer.
There's literally no room for any fence on three sides
which is why the home is occasionally vandalized with graffiti or egged.
Of course they have a 3 foot decorative wall along along portions of Zinfendel lane in the NAPA Valley.
They have a deer control issue...lol.
Why do you think we would ask you continue to waste our time with your fact less rants?
Nope, those walls were put up by the [deleted}
They're around the Capitol in DC thanks to {deleted] and his insurrectionist mob on 1/6/21.
Need I go on?
"Tex if walls and fences dont work , congress wouldnt have surrounded them selves with one for a few weeks and had armed guards patrolling ."
That was thanks to trump and his insurrectionist mob.
How quickly some pretend to forget.
if the walls and fences don't work, then why did Democrats insist on having them?
Trump put a fence or wall around Pelosi's house,?????
If you are suggesting that Nancy Pelosi's house has a wall around it, you are mistaken.
I think the wall that Trump got authorized is a great step to greatly reducing illegal immigration. It won't stop it all, however, the wall is meant to funnel illegals that still want to try and get in to funnel into certain areas where it would be far easier to pinpoint and stop, much unlike how Biden wants a wide open border where if someone wants to do harm to this country, it would be very difficult to stop them.
What are your thoughts about this wall?
Trump put 1.7 miles of a 13 ft. tall un-scalable fence around the White House. The cost? $64,000,000.00. The piddlin' chain link fence around the Capitol? $19,000,000.00. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what would.
Thank God the most important man in the world is Florida's problem now.
OK, so why is it still up? January 6th was over 3 months ago.
The freakout liberals had over February 3rd never happened.
[deleted]
OK I stand corrected on Pelosi's home, however, I am still correct in the other examples.
[removed]
[removed]
[Deleted]
"OK, so why is it still up? January 6th was over 3 months ago."
Because those trumpturd insurrectionist traitor Democrat haters are everywhere
"The freakout liberals had over February 3rd never happened.
It was only used as an excuse to wall the Capitol because liberal congresspeople are a bunch of pu$$ies."
Yeah, insurrectionist mobs out to kill Democrats and out to Hang Mike Pence will make them frightened of right wing traitor insurrectionist mobs led on by trumpturd.
Each of your fact less rants are becoming increasingly unhinged.
Wasn't it you that said Rudy in that Borat movie was a body double?
I know I'M the smartest.
[Deleted]
No, we have them there thanks to trump and his supporters.
[Deleted]
At the beginning of Trump's Admin there were 700 miles built by the two prior Administrations. Trump added 47 new miles and replaced 452 miles of older fence. Ask Ed why the gaps are still there in the fence near his town in AZ.
You give too much credit to too little thought by the trump Administration. A $5 ladder defeats the newest sections of wall which averaged $24 mill per mile. $18 billion dollars pissed away.
the border is as open as it was in 1848 when we acquired the Mexican states & territories
and 1912 when it was completed by NM's statehood.
A variety of tactics are required but the wall has been a waste of taxpayers money, even if it had been done more correctly,
it would still be a maintenance money pit for the rest of time.
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fon.msnbc.com%2F3eI6D6o%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR11ZCsjYvaa-jT2Yrc-nzjpCXqDkna1HhCX7eFoTldO-lDQW3nNSOQWEG0&h=AT05MJOkYbNdOEtWWiBuevlUzClQshE7Wz9ptmAx2Dw-ypb9l-Ma7_msZeXrVOW_xB5JiDoLSNEuNTwzQ2TVJW5Vq_58VfL1dOGpD667y_VqF0eTEkDmXdN0k0E6W0o7dt02&__tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AT21XnUsBcQJ_QKnLgaY2zKJmjCSBF--BVG4xaHsXvrDoGRONXOnbaCaCZter0WauQfeoyjwaELXcgGcsJ6oRD_SF0zH9v68olbsqbpsO5kFXNs-vsgpERSm7HbLSnNuBgvYSe-vEee3HPxG3UkGFMURsZaL-8r9v0xTamlWveIbedDsmlB1iApH-gnoJ4kzqc5TmX4JgAw-
Trump's inability to accept election loss is a legal drag for some Capitol riot defendants
Rachel Maddow looks at how Donald Trump supporters arrested in connection with the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol are having their legal arguments for release ahead of trial turned upside down as Trump clings to claims of a stolen election and continues to encourage followers to attack the legitimacy of Joe Biden's presidency. April 27, 2021
what do you think the question marks were for---and I even included more than one?
So... Does it look like it worked?
Were the walls up then?
Simple yes or no answer.
Not blind and don't see a 'wall' at either the border or around the Capitol.
The fencing around the Capitol did not go up until after January 6. The fencing that was put up was authorized by Nancy Pelosi, as she is in charge of the Capitol police, and the fence that was put up was meant to keep people out.
Exactly like the wall on the southern border.......or at least it was until Biden opened the border and allowed the pouring in to start
Have you seen this thing? Apparently it's going to remain there indefinitely.
Remember when she thought a wall was "immoral?" I guess not so much anymore.
I don't get Pelosi.
Haven't Democrats been claiming that walls and fences don't work?
Do they only work in DC now?
Weird!
Nancy Pelosi is not in charge of the Capitol police. That responsibility falls to the Sergeant at Arms. Paul D. Irving was the Sergeant at Arms from January 17, 2012 - January 7, 2021, when he was relieved of his duties. Timothy Blodgett, the Deputy Sergeant at Arms, was appointed as Acting Sergeant at Arms until the current Sergeant at Arms, William Walker, was confirmed on March 26, 2021.
The following divisions comprise the Office of the Sergeant at Arms:
The Sergeant at Arms also coordinates extensively with the U.S. Capitol Police and various intelligence agencies to assess threats against Members of Congress and the Capitol complex . Duties include overseeing the House floor and galleries, the House Appointments Desk, the House garages and parking lots, as well as administering all staff identification badges.
Source
Source
But yet we have them around the Capitol in DC thanks to Pelosi
[Deleted] It was the SGT at Arms that made that call about erecting a fence...
Hold on. That is disingenuously incomplete. Are you suggesting that the Sgt at Arms could just fence the Capitol 100% at his own discretion against the will of the Speaker of the House? You really don’t think she’d have anything to say about it?
The position of Sergeant at Arms is created by the House, over which Speaker Pelosi presides and leads. It was Nancy Pelosi who gave him the job . Even the liberal Washington Post recognized that she could cause the fence to come down when their editorial staff urged her to do exactly that six weeks ago.
Opinion: Ms. Pelosi, tear down this fence - Opinion by the Editorial Board
But he was appointed to that position by Pelosi and he works for the House. He has been given a responsibility and authority by the House leader, and he can be removed from that position. All Pelosi has to do is tell them to take the fence down and I think it’s obvious that they would comply.
that portion of 12 foot fencing blocking 3rd Street was removed by March 24th.
Only the lighter 8 ft fences remain.
Any improvement is good, but I think it’s long past time for all of it to come down.
Starting with the same type of fencing the previous administration put all the way around the WH?
Or the anti climb wall erected inside of it which now obstructs the view of the "people's house'"?
plus temporary fence within THAT perimeter...smh
That 'thing' is called a fence. Thanks for bolstering my point.
And?
False.
And?
Yes, I have seen it, as have millions of Americans.
It's obvious Pelosi and the democrats do not want to be bothered by the peons of this country.
OK, who is in charge of the Sargeant at Arms?
Hmmm, I've had posts taken down where I said someone's post was a lie, but your post calling me a liar is still up over 7 hours
Good job pointing out moderator hypocrisy
BTW...who is in charge of the Capitol Police?.
Answer: House and Senate democrats
Who is in charge of democrats in the House and Senate?
Nancy Pelosi and Chuck U Schumer
Who is authorizing the fence to stay up?
Nancy Pelosi and Chuch U Schumer.
You are welcome for the education
5.1.53 is for you too.
You are also welcome for the education.
BTFW Dulay, here is the link I know you will demand and then try and pick it apart to meet your narrative.
Hilarious bugsy.
You posted a link but don't seem to understand what it documents.
Wrong.
Your own fucking link states:
The Capitol Police Board reports to NO ONE. Once appointed they are no more answerable to Nancy Pelosi than any other independent Agency in the US Government.
Now if you can QUOTE anything in your own link that refutes my statement, have at it.
Oh and BTFW, I haven't picked anything apart to meet a narrative. I cited your own links and facts. Deal with it.
You can call it whatever you like. What is your point?
Read your link.
I didn't ask for your permission, although I prefer to call it what it IS by definition.
Are you having an issue following the thread?
You have been provided irrefutable facts with verifiable links to back them up. Acknowledge or don't acknowledge, it's your choice. However, repeating incorrect information about something so easily verified hurts the integrity of this site. Translation: It makes us all look ridiculous. Please stop.
Thing you quoted (my bolding this time):
And incredibly, you say to that:
That’s some logic! Everybody reports to somebody. That’s how our government works. There’s no such thing as a truly “independent Agency in the US Government” (as you put it).
The members of the Capitol Police Board are agents of Congress and most definitely answer to that body.
So you didn’t have a point with that nonsense. Yeah, that’s kind of what I figured.
Every fucking Agency in the US Government has 'Congressional oversight' Tacos. They rely on the Congress for their funding and mission. That does NOT mean that they are 'in charge' of the Agency.
Or have you lost the thread?
Seriously, just stop.
[removed]
I didn’t say anything about being in charge. You said they report to no one.
Do you now concede that that is false?
By the way - in case you’re unsure - Congressional Republicans announced today that they want to talk to the whole board at once. Earlier this year, the Inspector General and the Chief (an ex officio member of the Board) were questioned by committees of the House and Senate, respectively.
House Republicans request hearing with Capitol Police Board for first time since 1945
So apparently they do report to somebody.
He won't concede anything. He requires the last word about everything.
Tries to wear you down then claim victory when you decide to just leave it be, no matter how wrong he is.
There would not be a need for a fence around the capitol if not for Trump's magats deciding to become seditious traitors.
I didn't say that. Bug spread that lie.
You seem to still have an issue with following the thread.
YOU replied to a comment that I made to bugsy who said that
Prove otherwise.
Well gee, I don't know about you but in the 50 years that I 'reported to someone' they didn't 'request' a meeting with me, they called me in. PERIOD full stop.
Oh and BTFW, when I reported to someone or someone reported to me we sure as hell had policy/procedure meetings more often than every 45 YEARS.
You must be mistaking me for someone from Texas.
So much wrong here, and yet you persist with the loud and aggressive tone. All you have to do is read the comments you're replying to to see how wrong you are. The unusual thing is not that members of the Board are being questioned by Congress. That's common. You should know that because I told you it has already been happening since January - at least twice. The unusual thing is to question all members of the board at once.
As the cool kids say: spot on.
Tissue?
Perhaps you can explain how the written word can be loud. Hell, I didn't even use an exclamation point...
Thanks for proving my point...
Oh no, thank you. I’m not upset. Just embarrassed for you.
In internet chat etiquette, words written in all capital letters is generally considered to equivalent to shouting. That’s how. To the extent an internet tradition can be called “old,” this is one of the oldest.
Actually, this comment from you perfectly proves bugsy’s point. LOL!
LOL. So true. See @5.1.73 for another perfect example of exactly that.
I see. Hilarious watching my words come true in real time.
I doubt you have any feelings about me other than animosity.
So two words were loud and the rest was a whisper?
Trump and his seditious traitors are responsible for having to fence off the capitol no matter who was in charge.
Why not keep some of the funding to fix the problems the last administration left undone, like the Flood Barrier - Levy ?
DUuu
The Defense Department will use the reclaimed military funds - for the hundreds of domestic and overseas projects originally approved by Congress, including military schools and warehouses.
"Consistent with the President's proclamation, the Department of Defense is proceeding with canceling all border barrier construction projects paid for with funds originally intended for other military missions and functions such as schools for military children, overseas military construction projects in partner nations, and the National Guard and Reserve equipment account,""
Construction under the prior administration blew large holes into the Rio Grande Valley's flood barrier system to make way for a border wall. The flood barrier system had long provided low-lying regions of Hidalgo County, Texas, protection from catastrophic flooding, and these breaches have threatened local communities. DHS will start work to quickly repair the flood barrier system to protect border communities.