ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The State of Maryland, along with 15 other states, have joined forces to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court to fight President Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall.
Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and the multi-state lawsuit are challenging that Trump's administration's national emergency is unconstitutional and unlawful. The coalition wants to block the construction of the border wall and any illegal diversion of funding appropriated by Congress.
“There is no justification to declare a national emergency at our southern border,” said Attorney General Frosh. “The basis for President Trump’s declaration is fabricated. It is an illegal power grab and an abuse of executive authority. We are bringing this suit to defend the Constitution.”
The states say that the Trump Administration’s action exceeds the power of the executive office, violates the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, and would illegally and unconstitutionally divert federal funds appropriated by Congress for other purposes.
The lawsuit was led by by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and in addition to Maryland, was joined by the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.
