President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to provide funding to build a barrier at the Southern border of the United States.

The move came after a deal to avoid a government shutdown provided Trump with $1.3 billion to fund border security.

“We’re talking about an invasion of our country, with drugs, with human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs,” Trump said in a press conference following the national emergency declaration.

Many, including Trump, are expecting that the decision will go to the courts to decide its constitutionality.

Luke Welch’s ’19 support for the declaration of a national emergency is unfazed by the likely upcoming legal battle.

“It’s going to be challenged by Democrats in Congress as well as the courts,” Welch said. “But I think it was the right move to avoid another shutdown that denies federal workers they paycheck.”

However, some believe that, should the national emergency be held up, future presidents could abuse the expansion of executive power.

“This sets a terrible precedent for future presidents,” Gary Lu ’21 said. “This national emergency was created out of very little and weak statistical evidence.”