More than 50 ex-national security officials tell Trump his national emergency is not justified

NBC "News" ^ | February 25, 2019 | by Julia Ainsley (D-NBC)

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON - Fifty-eight former U.S. national security officials told the Trump administration in a letter on Monday that they are aware of "no emergency that remotely justifies" diverting funds to build a border wall.

The officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who served in the Clinton administration, and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, a Republican who served in the Senate and the Obama administration.

Others include Leon Panetta, former secretary of defense and director of the CIA; Gil Kerlikowske, former head of Customs and Border Protection; John Kerry, former secretary of state; and Nick Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

The letter, according to its authors, is a declaration intended to be used in lawsuits challenging President Donald Trump's Feb. 15 decision to redirect $8 billion in federal funds in order to begin construction of a barrier along the southern border. Trump's announcement fulfilled a campaign promise to build a wall to block illegal immigrants after Congress offered less than $2 billion in federal funds after months of negotiations.

The officials fact check Trump's basis for declaring a national emergency, pointing out that illegal border crossings are near 40-year lows, there is no documented terror threat, human and drug trafficking will not be affected by a border wall, and there is no violent crime threat posed by immigrants.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[Sarah Barracuda]

Funny I never heard these people complain when Obama signed 12 National Emergencies, no one said a peep..I guess these “Ex national security officials” love those borders WIDE open

[1Old Pro]

I’m waiting to hear what Clapper, Brennan and Rice have to say. When one out of the 3 provides a differing opinion then I’ll listen.

[Red Badger]

... they are aware of "no emergency that remotely justifies" diverting funds to build a border wall.

What part of 'EX' do they not understand?................

[Tench_Coxe]

Ah, a trifecta of the "right" buttons-"consensus", "bipartisan", and "expert"
Who could argue with that?

[joma89]

Wow, a whole 50? But 60+ million support the President and the plan to build a wall. I’d say we have the 50 so called experts outnumbered.

JoMa

[neverevergiveup]

First, for me, Albright is like an anti-compass. If she says south, then it means north.

[JoSixChip]

illegal border crossings are near 40-year lows

I don't believe that. This is a bunch of leftist carrying water fot pelosi. Current Boarder security and experts say it is an emergency.

[ConservativeMind]

We have no legitimate “National Emergencies” in all the OTHER countries 0 signed for that these same people loved.

A bunch of NeverTrumpers and Clinton/0 supporters are not a credible group of anything but pedophiles. Are they Catholic clergy?

[dp0622]

Very interesting.

Plus get to the number 1,000 on the signatures and include MANY prominent conservatives, not republicans, on the list and get back to me.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

"In the face of a nonexistent threat, redirecting funds for the construction of a wall along the southern border will undermine national security by needlessly pulling resources from Department of Defense programs that are responsible for keeping our troops and our country safe and running effectively," they said.

WTF does that mean?

[Nifster]

Do what. They put us in this situation

[boycott]

” Chuck Hagel, a Republican who served in the Senate and the Obama administration.”

—

Clown show.

[grobdriver]

and there is no violent crime threat posed by immigrants

Tell that to Angle Moms.

Time and time again I see on the news here in central Texas a death or severe injuries caused by a drunk driver.

Much of the time the perp is hispanic.

Days later we learn they're a "suspected undocumented immigrant" - AKA illegal alien.

[no-to-illegals]

Security clearances are one cent per one hundred

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Everyone of them buffoons are losers and butt heads of major note!!! None them worth one cent...all low life incompetents...period!!!

[Lurkinanloomin]

All proponents of the New World Order.

We the People are in the way.

We must be diluted/replaced.

[Rurudyne]

What did they say to Obama about, IIRC, 8 of 10 of his national emergencies that dealt with the internal affairs of several foreign countries?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Agreed!

And why would Trump listen to the 50+ rear holes who let in the current 22 million illegals.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Heard that idiot Roy Blout say today “Ive never seen a President do this before” meaning a National Emergency, gee where the hell was he doing during Obama’s 8 years, sitting on the toilet? Obama did it 12 freakin times!