Trump-appointed judge to hear emergency wall case in D.C.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/19/trump-appointed-judge-hear-emergency-wall-case-dc/
A Trump-appointed judge has been assigned to hear the two lawsuits against President Trump’s emergency border wall declaration that have been filed in federal court in D.C.
The two lawsuits were brought by environmental groups and Texas landowners who argue the president’s move is constitutionally dubious and his reasons for the emergency are suspect. They’ve asked the court to halt any fence-building beyond the $1.375 billion Congress approved.
Mr. Trump has said he has found an additional $6.7 billion he can use, shifting the money from drug interdiction, military construction and a Treasury Department forfeiture fund.
Judge Trevor N. McFadden, appointed by Mr. Trump and confirmed to the court in 2017, will hear the cases.
Another lawsuit was filed Monday in California by 16 Democrat-led states.
Lawyers had said Mr. Trump’s opponents would have better luck by trying to get an Obama-appointed judge to hear their legal challenge.