Yes, I’ve been hearing the leading Democrats and RINOs
saying the same thing since the 90s.
While I agree to a point, 738 miles is not the figure
I had in mind. I doubt it is yours either.
“738 miles is not the figure I had in mind.”
A lot of analysis went into structuring the Program, to achieve the top line metric that matters - Full Operational Control of the Southern Border.
On President Trump’s fifth day in office, he signed Executive Order 13767, directing DHS to start work on the Border Wall, and to develop a Comprehensive Plan for Full Operational Control of that Border.
After every green eye shade activity in the Federal budget community (CBO, OMB) threw every “what if” they could dream up at the Plan, Congress finally accepted it in December 2018.
The results were a requirement for $25 Billion over five years, 1,100 miles of barrier, thousands of new full time positions, and several large Technology Programs.
221 miles of pre-existing barrier (essentially, the bollards) has been assessed as operationally effective. If that is subtracted from the 1,100 mile requirement, then we are almost exactly at the 885 miles, for which the Trump Administration identified funding.
There is some variation between budgeted and actual costs, but it seems clear that President Trump had a professional plan developed, and arranged full funding for it, early enough in his first term to get it all contracted. Professionally and strategically executed.
I don’t know how much of the 157 miles that remains in Pre-construction is still awaiting contract award, or how much has been awarded, but is waiting on other lead time activities, like land acquisition by the Government, or staging and preparation by the Contractors.
I anticipate that the Trump Administration has a plan to complete all contracting and land acquisition for those 738 miles before Inauguration Day, and are monitoring progress regularly. Anyone who fails to perform gets fired.
President Trump did not just fall off the Turnip Truck last night. He is a World Class, hands-on Real Estate Developer - this is his wheelhouse. The Program is in very good hands.