Statement on Waiver of Environmental Regulations for Border Wall
"Today's announcement by DHS is a disturbing sign that President Trump will barrel ahead with building a border wall no matter the cost to taxpayers or effect on our environment."
Washington, DC – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a waiver allowing it to disregard environmental laws and regulations that would have otherwise affected plans to build and upgrade border wall segments near San Diego.
American Oversight has investigated President Trump’s proposed border wall through its Audit the Wall project, and has submitted records requests to numerous federal agencies and departments involved in the planning and construction of the wall. After failing to receive adequate responses, American Oversight sued four federal agencies on June 16 to force the release of communications and documents related to the wall.
In response to today’s announcement, American Oversight Executive Director Austin Evers released the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by DHS is a disturbing sign that President Trump will barrel ahead with building a border wall no matter the cost to taxpayers or effect on our environment.
“Given the widespread skepticism towards the effectiveness of the border wall by leaders in both parties – including the new White House Chief of Staff – effective safeguards are more important than ever to prevent President Trump from spending tens of billions of dollars and radically transforming our Southwestern border based solely upon his whims and impulses.”
More about American Oversight’s investigation into President Trump’s border wall can be found at AuditTheWall.org