Trump calls for end to border wall auctions: ‘Almost criminal act’

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration for selling off unused border wall materials at a discounted rate, calling it “almost a criminal act.” Trump expressed concern that these auctions would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to repurchase the large steel bollards and concrete.

During a recent press conference, Trump urged President Biden to halt the sales of the wall materials and suggested that his team would seek a restraining order to prevent further auctions. He emphasized the potential financial impact of having to rebuild the wall without access to the sold-off materials, stating that it could cost double what it did originally.

Trump revealed that he is collaborating with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Texas leaders to retrieve the materials. He described the administration’s actions as “almost a criminal act” and highlighted the necessity of preserving the wall for future use.

The controversy surrounding the sale of border wall materials surfaced after videos emerged showing large portions of the materials being removed from the border and auctioned off. A whistleblower at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection alleged that the administration’s goal was to sell all the unused materials along the Arizona-Mexico border by Christmas.

While the U.S. Customs and Border Protection oversees border wall construction and management, the Department of Defense clarified that the materials being sold were no longer under federal government ownership. The Defense Department stated that it lacked the legal authority to prevent further resale of the materials.

Local officials in Yuma County, Arizona, confirmed that the auctions of border wall materials had been ongoing for several years. Yuma County supervisor Jonathan Lines explained that the materials were typically sold through partnerships with equipment dealers like Iron Planet, with bids starting at $5 and reaching up to $10,000.

Despite reports suggesting that the Biden administration was ramping up sales of border wall materials before the Trump inauguration, Lines dismissed these claims as sensationalism. He asserted that the sales were consistent and not influenced by political events.

Trump expressed frustration over the financial waste associated with the auctions, highlighting the potential for buyers to sell the materials back to the government at a significantly higher price. He called on President Biden to intervene and stop the sales, emphasizing the need for common sense in government decision-making.

In conclusion, Trump’s criticism of the Biden administration’s sale of border wall materials underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policy and border security. The issue raises concerns about fiscal responsibility and government efficiency, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in managing public resources.