Pentagon Authorizes First $1 Billion For Border Wall From Natl Emergency

      Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan authorized $1 billion to fund  the construction of the border wall from President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration, according to the Pentagon.

     "These funds will be used to support DHS’s request to build 57 miles of 18-foot-high pedestrian fencing, constructing and improving roads, and installing lighting within the Yuma and El Paso Sectors of the border in support of the February 15 national emergency declaration on the southern border of the United States," The Pentagon announced.

     "The Pentagon also noted that 10 U.S.C. § 284(b)(7) gives the Department of Defense the authority to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotic activities of Federal law enforcement agencies," Breitbart News journalist Kristina Wong reported.

     Shanahan wrote a letter to the Pentagon addressed to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nieleson. "The Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is authorized to coordinate directly with DHS/CBP and immediately begin planning and executing up to $1B in support to DHS/CBP by undertaking the projects identified above,” Shanahan said.

   "Additional support may be available in the future, subject to the availability of funds and other factors," Shanahan added.