To help build his wall, President Trump diverts $ 54 million from Utah's military projects

Washington • Two projects totaling $ 54 million at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden will be delayed, with President Donald Trump assisting the Pentagon to finance the construction of a new US-Mexican border wall, the Department of Defense said Wednesday. Defense.

The two buildings were to be built next year, but they will not be built now, unless Congress reserves them money.

Meaning. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, both Republicans, have expressed concern over the misappropriation of funds for critical military construction projects in Utah. On Wednesday, the Pentagon informed Congress of projects that would lose funding.

"I am disappointed to find that despite these concerns, the February 2019 emergency declaration will delay two military construction projects totaling $ 54 million," Romney said in a statement. a statement. "Financing the border wall is an important priority, and the executive should use the appropriate congressional channels, rather than diverting funds already allocated from military construction projects and, therefore, undermine military preparedness."

"Congress has surrendered far too much power to the executive for decades and it is high time that it restore a proper balance of power between the three branches," Lee said.

Representative Rob Bishop, who represents the Hill area, said he was not worried and accused the Democrats of having caused the problem.

"Border security is an important aspect of our country's defense and a border wall will help us achieve the goal of comprehensive operational control. Congressional Democrats have already supported border security and if they had not recently opposed border security for purely partisan purposes, we would not be in that position today. These military programs are of paramount importance to our national defense. It's a delay, not a cancellation, and I'm waiting for them to start again soon. "

Utah's projects are among the list of those cut across the world to deflect $ 3.6 billion from the Department of Defense to fund a border fence. The list includes projects in 23 states, three territories and 20 others around the world.

The US President defended his position on Wednesday and said Defense Secretary Mark Esper was in favor of the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers on the southern border of the states. United States constitutes a risk to national security.

"Me too," said Trump. "When thousands of people try to put pressure on our country, I think [a] national security [issue]. When you have drugs coming into our country, I think that [a] national security [issue]. "

Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Said: "Congress should not allow the president to build his border wall on the backs of our troops," and urged the Senate to pass a resolution to block this "action." unconstitutional. "

"The administration's decision to divert funds from military construction projects to build the president's ill-conceived wall is irresponsible," Feinstein said. "Congress has allocated these funds to specific military construction projects, and that's how these funds should be used."