Tornado Alley (PROG)

[JimLur]

DoD Official: Department Can Begin Wall Construction Without State of Emergency

https://www.westernjournal.com/dod-official-department-can-begin-wall-construction-without-state-emergency/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=WJBreaking&utm_campaign=breaking&utm_content=western-journal

A top Pentagon official testified before Congress on Tuesday President Donald Trump would not have to declare a state of emergency in order to direct the Defense Department to erect barriers at the U.S. border with Mexico.

GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri raised the matter with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood during his appearance before the House Armed Services Committee.

She pointed to Title 10, Section 284 of the U.S. Code, which authorizes the DoD to provide support for counter-drug operations, if requested by the appropriate federal and state authorities, CNSNews reported.

Among other provisions, the law allows for the “construction of roads and fences and installation of lighting to block drug smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States.”

Rood first acknowledged that the DoD has been providing support for counter-drug missions for decades and that support continues.