Trump declares national emergency to redirect $3.6B in military funds to border wall

President Trump declared a national emergency on February 15, 2019, after Congress refused his full $5.7 billion border wall request. The declaration let him redirect approximately $3.6 billion in military construction funds to wall building. Congress passed a resolution to terminate the emergency — both chambers voted for it — but Trump vetoed it. Federal courts blocked significant portions of the military fund transfers, ruling the executive couldn't unilaterally redirect appropriated military money to an unauthorized purpose. The episode directly tested whether emergency powers can override the Appropriations Clause.