President-elect Donald Trump has called on President Joe Biden to stop selling off sections of the southern border wall, criticising the move as “almost a criminal act.”
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump expressed outrage over the Biden administration’s decision to auction off unused border wall materials, describing the action as harmful to the country’s security and wasteful.
“I’m asking Joe Biden to stop selling the wall today. We will use that to create a strong barrier,” Trump said. He argued that the materials being sold at a fraction of their value could be repurposed for a more effective border wall system, warning that the cost to rebuild would be much higher in the future.
The Biden administration is selling portions of the wall, with reports indicating materials are being moved from locations like Nogales, Tucson, and Three Points, Arizona, in the lead-up to Christmas.
Some of these materials have reportedly been listed on GovPlanet, an online auction platform known for selling military surplus. Some items start at just $5.
The auction of these materials has reportedly been ongoing since April.
Trump slammed the sale, emphasising that it would waste taxpayer money and delay plans to build a more secure border. “They know we’re going to use it, and if we don’t have it, we’re going to have to rebuild it, and that will cost double what it cost years ago,” Trump said.
The president-elect also criticised the Biden administration for not facilitating a “smooth transition,” accusing it of undermining the incoming administration’s plans.
He mentioned discussions with Texas officials, including Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas senators, to explore legal options, including potentially seeking a restraining order to stop the sale.
Trump’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions over border security, with Republicans in Congress raising concerns about the political implications of the sale.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) suggested that the sale may be part of a broader effort to undermine Trump’s policies.
While President Biden initially halted construction of the border wall following his executive order in January 2021, he later reversed course in some areas, waiving environmental reviews to allow for border wall construction in Texas.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on Trump’s accusations.
