[Breitbart] Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Thursday called on President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, citing Democrat leaders’ unwillingness to comprise on border security legislation which would reopen the federal government.
"Speaker Pelosi’s refusal to negotiate on funding for a border wall/barrier ‐ even if the government were to be reopened ‐ virtually ends the congressional path to funding a border wall/barrier," Graham’s statement reads. "It is time for President Trump to use emergency powers to fund the construction of a border wall/barrier. I hope it works."
Graham’s support for a declaration comes after expressing caution about the move earlier this week, saying it was not his "preferred route" and should be a "last resort." Speaking with reporters earlier Thursday, the South Carolina Republican said he doesn’t see lawmakers will find a solution to end the shutdown, which has entered its 20th day. "I have never been more depressed about moving forward than I am right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward. Somebody’s got to like, get some energy to fix this," he said.
In a Fox News interview last week, Graham predicted it will likely be "the end of [the Trump] presidency" if the president reopens the government without securing border wall funding.
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