From USA Today: "Donald Trump can fund the border wall without congressional approval"

[elocs]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/12/24/donald-trump-shutdown-congress-approval-build-border-wall-spending-column/2402442002/

"The federal government has shut down because Republicans can’t agree on funding for President Donald Trump’s main campaign promise to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, and Democrats are insisting they will not vote for wall funding. This typical Washington gridlock is surmountable because Trump can build the wall on his own.

A week ago, the White House put out a call to federal agencies to look for “pots of money” in their existing budgets that could be cobbled together to pay for border wall construction. Immediately, Sen. John Thune, the Republican whip in the upper chamber, shot down the idea of shifting funds from executive departments to the border, saying, “I’m not a big fan of moving money.” Like it or not, there are sources of revenue in the executive branch that the president has authority to use without congressional approval."

----------snip----------

"For example, Trump could authorize the sale of $10 billion of USDA rural water loans on the secondary market, which could bring in a lump sum payment of $12 billion or more. Revenue from these proceeds could be directed to build the border wall.

Legal authority comes from many angles. Obama stimulus loans (approximately $2-$5 billion) could be separated out and used because they involved “no year” money, meaning the funds don’t expire if not spent in a certain time frame. The president could tap into USDA’s Community Facilities Programs money if recouped funds from the sale were used for new loans to cooperating communities on the border, such as in Texas."

[Me.]

1. For Heaven's Sake The Last Thing He Needs

are ideas about how to waste more taxpayer money.

[bitterross]

2. Let's See a Democratic President Try That and how they'd feel.

The authors conveniently forget Trump did not win a majority, nor anything close to a mandate in 2016. The vast majority of the country voted for someone else.

The only voters who want a wall are the racist, xenophobic, bigoted voters who make up Trump's cult. The rest of us REJECTED Trump and his ideology in the election.

Perhaps opinion writers should remember that before making the easily disprovable notion that voters want a wall. They should also remember that once a precedent is set, it will apply to the next President. Of either party. I somehow doubt these authors will be in favor of a Democratic President funding healthcare for all or other Democratic priorities in a similar manner should that President so choose. I'm quite certain they'd be on the front line for impeachment and removal.

[DonViejo]

3. Go to the article at USA Today...

Scroll down to the end of the column... both authors are Trumpista. One was on the Transition team, while the other authored a book about how wonderful Trump is.

[bitterross]

4. I would have put money on that.

Reading such a stupid, outlandish bunch of bull and bad ideas, I was certain these must be loyal Trumpsters.

[Lock him up.]

5. Since he claims to be worth 10 Billions, he can...

take 5 of them to build his damn wall that won't work, like the rest of his ventures.

He then can send the personal bill to Mexico.

[Cha]

6. Sounds like a good plan!

[elocs]

7. I think that Trump wants to get the wall built the way he wants it built,

and he was looking for a fight and he got one.
He wants to make Congress do what he wants them to do to get his wall.
And the Republican argument that it's just $5 billion and what's that compared to the total budget is just mind-blowingly hypocritical. Can anyone ever imagine them letting that same argument fly if it were used by Democrats?

[Efilroft Sul]

8. Trump Goal: Wants to build a wall. Trump Reality: Can't even construct a cabinet.

[hibbing]

9. That is an awfully specific example provided n/t