Trump no quiere que fragmentos de su muro fronterizo se vendan como chatarra
Trump Slams Biden Governance for Selling Off Border Wall Materials
Former President Donald Trump blasted the Biden administration’s decision to auction off unused border wall materials, calling it “almost criminal.” The steel panels, left to rust and gather dust after President Biden halted construction of the wall, are being sold on GovPlanet, a federal surplus auction site, since at least April 2023.
The move has sparked outrage among Republicans, who view the border wall as a symbol of Trump’s presidency. A video, allegedly filmed by a Border Patrol agent and published by conservative outlet The Daily Wire, shows trucks transporting massive wall sections from multiple locations in Arizona. The agent, who remained anonymous, estimated that the government is moving approximately 800 meters of barrier daily and that the auctions start at a mere $5 per lot.
Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago on Monday, condemned the sales, urging Biden to halt them. “It’s very expensive material, and today its price must be double what it was six years ago, and the Administration is auctioning it off for five cents when they know we’re getting ready,” he stated.
During his presidency, Trump constructed 128 kilometers of new wall, while reinforcing or renovating an additional 500 kilometers of existing barriers.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a staunch Trump ally, also criticized the steel auctions, calling them a “malicious” attack on Trump and the American people. Patrick announced on Fox News that Texas, with $1 billion in reserves, is exploring the possibility of repurchasing the nine-metre-tall panels.
However, Patrick acknowledged the logistical challenges. “It’s basically a bunch of scrap.it’s full of rust and has some concrete on it. there are some panels that can be salvaged, but it might be too expensive to bring them from Arizona,” he said. Patrick added that they are searching for sections in better condition for Trump to utilize upon his anticipated return to the White House on January 20th.
Border Wall Scrap Metal Auction Sparks Controversy
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Criticizes Sale as “Last-Ditch Effort” by Biden Administration
PHOENIX, AZ – A controversial auction of leftover steel panels originally intended for the U.S.-Mexico border wall is raising eyebrows across the country. The sale, conducted online through GovPlanet, has seen hundreds of panels sold to the highest bidder, sparking debate about the fate of the Trump-era project.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s border policies and condemned the sale. “This is a last-ditch effort by the Biden administration to keep the borders of the United States open,” Ducey stated.
The auction comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Ducey’s own use of shipping containers as a makeshift border barrier. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of these containers on the delicate desert ecosystem.
This isn’t the first time surplus border wall materials have been auctioned off. in April 2023,94 lots,comprising over 729 panels,were sold on the same platform,generating over $2 million in revenue.
Why are the Panels Being Sold?
The sale of the steel coincides with the end of the Biden administration’s term. While Donald trump’s recent election victory sparked speculation about the future of the wall project, the auctions were already underway.
According to Trump’s party, contracts for the disposal of the surplus materials, estimated to be worth $300 million, were already in motion.
The sales are mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress earlier this year.The legislation, introduced by Republican lawmakers, required the Department of Defense to develop a plan for the use, transfer, or donation of materials used in border wall construction between 2017 and 2022.
The law stipulated that the Department of Defense must begin moving the surplus materials within 100 days of the act’s passage. Sixty percent of the panels were claimed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), while the remaining 40% were made available through GovPlanet.
The Pentagon has stated that the panels sold in the auctions “are no longer property of the United States government” and that they have no legal authority to reclaim them.
A Last-Minute Push to Halt the Sales?
Some Republicans are pushing for a last-minute effort to halt the sales. They are reviving a bill introduced in August 2023 that threatened to reduce the Pentagon’s travel budget by 1% if the Department of Defense didn’t utilize or donate the unused wall fragments to border states like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. The bill stipulated that these states must commit in writing to using the materials for ”a permanent physical barrier to prevent illegal traffic.”
However, with time running out, it remains to be seen if this effort will be accomplished in preventing the remaining surplus materials from being sold.
Is Biden Governance Selling America short By Auctioning off Border Wall Materials?
NewsDirectory3: Former President Donald Trump has come out swinging against the Biden administration’s decision to auction off surplus border wall materials,calling it “almost criminal.” To offer some informed perspective on this issue,we’ve invited[[[[Name of expert specializing in US border security and/or government policy],[[[[Expert’s title and affiliation].
Welcome, [expert Name]. Can you shed some light on the situation?
[Expert Name]: Thank you for having me. This is indeed a complex issue with wider implications beyond the immediate sale of materials.
NewsDirectory3: Trump insists the materials are being sold for “five cents on the dollar” and claims the Biden administration is deliberately undermining his signature border security project.What are your thoughts on this assessment?
[Expert Name]: While the sale price may appear low at first glance, we need to consider several factors. firstly, the materials have been sitting unused and exposed to the elements for some time, diminishing their value. Secondly, the cost of transportation and storage can be significant, further impacting the resale price.
Thirdly, it’s important to remember that this material might not be directly suitable for other construction projects due to its specific design and purpose.
NewsDirectory3: beyond the financial aspect, what are the potential consequences of this decision from a border security standpoint?
[Expert Name]: The symbolism can’t be ignored.For many, the border wall represented a firm stance on immigration control. The dismantling and sale of these materials can be seen as a symbolic reversal of that policy, which may be interpreted as a weakening of resolve on border security.
However, it’s crucial to remember that the effectiveness of physical barriers in deterring illegal immigration is debated among experts. Many argue that a multifaceted approach involving technology, personnel, and international cooperation is more effective.
NewsDirectory3: The opposition to the auctions is largely coming from Republicans. What are the broader political ramifications of this move by the Biden administration?
[Expert Name]: This issue is highly politicized,tapping into deeply held beliefs about border security,immigration,and the legacy of the previous administration. For Republicans,it’s a rallying cry,portraying the Biden administration as weak on border security and wasteful with taxpayer money.For Democrats, it represents a pivot away from what they view as a costly and ineffective policy.
NewsDirectory3: what do you see as the most likely outcome of this situation?
[Expert Name]: It’s unlikely the Biden administration will reverse course based on political pressure alone. Barring legal challenges or Congressional intervention, the auctions are likely to continue.
Though, the symbolic weight of this decision will continue to be debated, further fueling the already polarized discourse on border security in the US.
NewsDirectory3: thank you for your insights, [Expert Name].
This has been a NewsDirectory3 exclusive interview. We will continue to follow this developing story and bring you the latest updates.