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A grassroots online campaign to fund the border wall proposed by President Trump exceeded $ 8.7 million Thursday, but it remained to be determined whether the federal government could accept the gift.
As of Thursday evening, 143,821 people donated $ 8,742,182. Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage's GoFundMe campaign, "We're going to fund the wall – just over three days after it's launched."
Pledge campaign aims to raise $ 1 billion for " to enforce our laws and have this wall BUILD! Kolfage, a recipient of the Purple Heart who lost both his legs and an arm in Iraq, wrote on the campaign's webpage. "It's up to the Americans to help and help launch this project."
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and long-time advocate of strengthening border security, praised the "impressive" veterinarian's campaign, while expressing concern about allowing private citizens to govern with their wallet.
"I think it's admirable and the country should respond," Goodlatte told The Post. "Of course, we can not let citizens raise money and say," The government will spend my money on this. "
According to the Treasury Department, general donations to the federal government go to a" fund " States, reserved for "general use" by the federal government or "budgetary needs".
Specific federal agencies can not receive this funding without a Congressional appropriation.
Some agencies may accept gifts directly for specific purposes.
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.
In addition, GoFundMe's terms of service prohibit "not to use funds for their stated purpose", which means that if the DHS was unable to accept the unexpected gain, Kolfage may have to repay the donors of his campaign.
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