U.S. officials said the administration was required by law to spend money now that Congress set aside in 2019 under Trump, adding that attempts to push lawmakers to reappropriate the funding elsewhere failed.
One of Biden's first actions after taking office in January 2021 was to issue a proclamation pledging that "no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall" as well as a review of all resources that had already been committed.
The administration said Thursday's action did not deviate from Biden's proclamation because money that was allocated during Trump's term in 2019 had to be spent now.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that there was "no new Administration policy with respect to border walls. From day one, this Administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer."
Mayorkas said the construction project was appropriated during the prior administration and the law requires the government to use the funds, with an announcement made earlier n the year. "We have repeatedly asked Congress to rescind this money but it has not done so and we are compelled to follow the law," he said.
This is not a case of "dems finally admiting that they’re wrong. "
One of Biden's first actions after taking office in January 2021 was to issue a proclamation pledging that "no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall" as well as a review of all resources that had already been committed.
On Thursday, the administration said the action did not deviate from Biden's proclamation because money that was allocated during Trump's term in 2019 had to be spent now.
Asked by reporters if the border wall works, Biden said "No" but that the administration had to use the money. "I can't stop that," he said.