On Feb. 13, the Trump Administration announced plans to reassign $3.8 billion from the defense budget to fund the wall at the southern border. 

The funds were not originally set aside for building barriers but for other uses, such as purchasing equipment for the National Guard. The announcement drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats who believe that the money is needed where it was previously allocated. In the notice to Congress that explained the change, the administration claimed it was necessary for “higher priority items.” Those in support of the administration’s decision blame Congress for not allocating more funding to the southern border. 

Currently, not including the newest funds, the construction of the barrier along the US-Mexico border has about $11 billion to fund it. Some of these funds were provided by Congress, and some came from other diversions to the budget the Trump administration made, primarily from military and counternarcotics spending. 

Some Congress members believe that the administration’s actions are an overreach of power, as the Constitution grants the legislative branch (Congress) the power to control the budget. They do not believe the executive branch (the President and administration) should be able to alter funding without Congressional approval. 

Both the necessity of the new wall at the border and the actions taken to fund and construct it have raised controversy.