The U.S. Has Been in a Constant State of National Emergency Since 1979. Here’s Why

As a U.S. government shutdown drags on, President Donald Trump has told reporters that he's considering declaring a national emergency in order to get his desired wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, with or without Congress' cooperation. It would be a drastic action, but he would hardly be the first American president to take extraordinary steps for what he sees as the interest of the nation.

As a U.S. government shutdown drags on, President Donald Trump has told reporters that he's considering declaring a national emergency in order to get his desired wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, with or without Congress' cooperation. It would be a drastic action, but he would hardly be the first American president to take extraordinary steps for what he sees as the interest of the nation.