Top Dems call Trump emergency plan ‘lawless’

WASHINGTON (AP) – The top two Democrats in Congress say President Donald Trump’s upcoming move to declare a national emergency to fund his U.S.-Mexico border wall would be “a lawless act” and “a gross abuse of the power of the presidency.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer say in a joint statement that “Congress will defend our constitutional authorities.”

Pelosi has the ability to pass legislation to overturn any such move by Trump, and that measure could pass the GOP-held Senate as well, though Trump could veto it. Trump’s move would also face a certain court challenge.

Pelosi and Schumer say, “This is not an emergency, and the president’s fearmongering doesn’t make it one.”