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Washington (CNN) - US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper authorized the transfer of $ 3.6 billion in military construction funds for 11 wall projects on the southern border with Mexico, according to defense officials and a Esper's letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee that was obtained by CNN.
In his letter, Esper told Congress that “he determined that 11 military construction projects along the international border with Mexico, with an estimated total cost of 3.6 billion dollars, are needed to support the use of armed forces in relation to the national emergency ”.
The letter does not include the word “wall,” as is typical of this type of Department of Defense announcements, but it details how the funds will be used for new fencing projects at various border locations.
The announcement fulfills a promise made by President Donald Trump in February to take advantage of military construction funds to build his border wall. The measure was criticized by Congress when it was first announced and only recently completed a legal review of the Pentagon.
On Tuesday, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called the decision a "slap" to army members.
"This decision will damage important projects already planned, aimed at supporting members of our army in military installations in New York, the United States and around the world," Schumer wrote in a statement. "It is a slap to the members of the Armed Forces that serve our country that President Trump is willing to cannibalize the military funds already allocated to boost his own ego and a wall that he promised would be paid by Mexico."
Schumer said the loss of funds would delay critical construction projects at military facilities in New York, such as the United States Military Academy in West Point.
Senator Jack Reed, the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate Armed Services Commission, also condemned the measure.
“President Trump's immigration efforts have failed since day one. Today, he made it clear that he is willing to take funds from our soldiers and disaster victims and transfer them to try to protect his right political flank. And ultimately, that could put Americans at risk, ”he said in a statement.
“This is not just an attempt to transfer funds, it is an attempt to divert the power of Congress to the president. Clearly, this administration is trying to circumvent the authority of Congress and this poorly advised attempt must be legally challenged and overturned by the courts, ”Reed added.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced on Tuesday that “it would seek a court order that would block the use of funds as part of its lawsuit that defies the abuse of the president's emergency powers to secure funds for a wall that Congress denied. "
Border wall
