Plaskett Says Trump’s Move To Shift Military Funding To Border Wall Construction Is ‘Disheartening’

President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to use $3.6 billion of military construction projects funding to build or fortify portions of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The funds would be divided equally between domestic and international military projects, according to Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Democrats have vehemently opposed the move, with House Speaker Nanci Pelosi vowing to fight the president in court. Democrats have also said they would not re-appropriate money for the military projects.

According to the Wall Street Journal, which quoted the Pentagon, Mr. Esper authorized diverting funds for 11 wall projects, which would delay as many as 127 military projects.

On Wednesday, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett voiced her displeasure with the president’s latest action on border wall security.

“News that the administration will be diverting $3.6 billion from the Pentagon’s coffers to shore up the funding for his border wall is troubling,” she said in a statement. “Taking these funds, which have been duly allocated by Congress, will ultimately affect the completion of numerous crucial projects across America, including the Virgin Islands.  We are aware of approximately 3 maintenance projects in the Virgin Islands National Guard that will be impacted by the President’s decision.”

Ms. Plaskett said her office has informed V.I. Adjutant General Kodjo Knox-Limbacker of the projects in the Virgin Islands that will be impacted.

Pentagon officials said the military-construction projects had been deferred, not canceled, but Mr. Esper’s decision could amount to defunding the projects, according to WSJ.

“The administration’s irresponsible decision to transfer funds from appropriated U.S. military construction makes America less safe and dishonors the Constitution,” Ms. Pelosi said in a statement Tuesday evening.

“It is disheartening to the members of the armed forces to have a commander in chief who is willing to raid already allocated military funding for a wall he promised Mexico would pay to build,” said Ms. Plaskett. “The president is trying to usurp Congress’s exclusive power of the purse and loot vital funds from our military. Depleting the Defense Department of much needed funds is an affront to our service members and when Congress returns next week from recess we will strongly oppose any funds for new wall construction.”