Michigan among 16 states suing Trump for emergency wall declaration
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(FOX 2) - Michigan and 15 other states filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel tweeted her support for the lawsuit.
"This fake emergency is a publicity stunt that will raid our federal funding and cost us millions," she said. "We cannot in good conscience stand by while our president seeks to undermine our own efforts to keep our residents safe and our military strong. Proud to stand with these AGs today."
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra released a statement Monday saying the suit alleges the Trump administration's action violates the Constitution.
"President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt," Becerra said. "He knows there is no border crisis, he knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this case in court."
Joining Michigan in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.
Trump declared a national emergency to fulfill his promise of completing the wall.
The move allows the president to bypass Congress to use money from the Pentagon and other budgets.
California has repeatedly challenged Trump in court.
"President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up 'national emergency' in order to seize power and undermine the Constitution," said California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. "This 'emergency' is a national disgrace."
--The Associated Press contributed to this report