58 former security officials: Trump's wall will 'undermine national security'

In a letter released Monday, 58 former national security officials warned that redirecting funding to build a wall along the southern border “will undermine U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” according to a copy obtained by the Washington Post.

Previous reporting indicates Trump may try to steal funds meant for military families, such as funds meant to build new schools for the children of women and men serving our country at home and overseas. The 11-page letter also asserts “there is no factual basis” for Trump to declare an emergency and build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bipartisan letter was signed by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, as well as other officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The letter will be entered into the Congressional record and is intended to help provide evidence for the multiple lawsuits seeking to overturn the declaration, according to the Post.

On the same day, Politico obtained a letter from more than 20 former Republican members of Congress warning their GOP colleagues to “resist efforts to surrender” to Trump on the issue of a national emergency. “Our oath is to put the country and its Constitution above everything, including party politics or loyalty to a president,” the letter reminded Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Both letters were released a day before the House votes on a resolution to block Trump’s fake emergency.

In an attempt to circumvent the will of Congress — and possibly the Constitution — Trump declared a national emergency so he could build a wall along the southern border after Congress repeatedly rejected his funding requests.

Trump went to extreme lengths to try to bully, badger, and beg Congress to allocate $5.7 billion for a border wall. After Democrats refused to go along with Trump’s racist lies about immigration, a humiliated Trump declared a national emergency.

However, Congress can terminate any national emergency declaration with a vote, which is exactly what Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to do. On Tuesday, the House will give all members of Congress — Democrats and Republicans — the opportunity to go on the record and determine if they are more loyal to the Constitution or to Trump’s demands.

In their letter, former GOP lawmakers asked Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution. The letter implores Republicans to uphold their oath to the Constitution and “keep it from being sacrificed on the altar of expediency.”

Whether it is to protect America’s national security or remain true to their oath to uphold the constitution, Republicans in Congress should do the right thing and rebuke Trump’s power grab.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.