When you take a step back from the day-to-day political drama that has been the last year and a half, it’s hard to believe that we’re actually seeing what we’re seeing. When Donald Trump promised back in June of 2015 to build a “great, great wall” across the Mexican border, did anyone seriously think we would see the fulfillment of that promise? Republicans have been promising to crack down on illegal immigration for decades. Surely this was just another pipe dream.
But here we are, and President Trump on Wednesday was expected to sign an executive order directing federal funds toward construction of that magnificent wall.
On Tuesday, Trump tweeted: “Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!”
Depending on the nature of the wall, it could take billions of dollars to complete – meaning Congress would have to authorize new funding for the project. However, NPR reports that there are already funds available to Trump if he wants to get the jump on construction:
“A law already exists that experts believe give him the authority to start building that wall,” NPR’s Tamara Keith reports on today’s Morning Edition. “It is the Secure Fence Act of 2006. It was bipartisan, it was overwhelmingly supported. That envisions both physical barriers and more of the high-tech stuff, like sensors and cameras.”
The 2006 law mentions a two-layer fence, Tamara says — but that fence was never built. Ten years later, the process could begin.
Of course, Trump’s ultimate plan – as we all know – is to make Mexico pay for the wall. As president, Trump may choose to confiscate remittances being sent from Mexican citizens living in the U.S. or correct the trade deficits our country currently has with our neighbors to the south. In the meantime, the money will come from tax dollars – meaning Trump will have to eventually get Congress on board.
With the way things are going, we have quite a bit of confidence in President Trump’s ability to do that. Six days into his presidency, Trump is already making good on many of the promises that brought him to the dance. While the media’s busy covering crowd sizes and vote tallies, Trump is building a road to a better American future.
Political realities being what they are, we should probably temper our optimism.
But to hell with that. Things are looking brighter for this country than they’ve looked in ages, and we’re going to enjoy the journey for as long as it lasts.
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