President Trump's National Emergency Is a Ploy to Avoid Admitting Defeat on the Wall

Mexico refused to pay for it. Congress wouldn't shell out, either. So President Donald Trump capped a two-month battle over his border wall by deciding to go it alone.

The White House announced Thursday that Trump would sign a spending bill to avoid a second government shutdown over his signature campaign promise, then declare a national emergency in a bid to construct the wall.

Mexico refused to pay for it. Congress wouldn't shell out, either. So President Donald Trump capped a two-month battle over his border wall by deciding to go it alone. The White House announced Thursday that Trump would sign a spending bill to avoid a second government shutdown over his signature campaign promise, then declare a national emergency in a bid to construct the wall.