Trump to visit border wall highlighting his accomplishments

President Donald Trump will bookend his administration’s focus on immigration with a trip to his signature border wall on the US-Mexico border, as House Democrats prepare a second impeachment vote.

On Tuesday, Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, near the border, to mark the completion of more than 450 miles of wall.

This will be Trump’s first public appearance since speaking on the National Mall last Wednesday, shortly before his supporters forced their way into the US Capitol.

“I understand that emotions are high on both sides, for or against, the President, and I hope that if there are demonstrations for or against, that they are peaceful with respect to our law enforcement personnel,” Mayor Jim Darling of neighboring McAllen, Texas said.

Since January 2017, roughly $15 billion has been identified to construct around 738 miles of border wall through different funds, including those made available through Trump’s declaration of a national emergency.

Of the roughly 453 miles, the majority replaces old, dilapidated barriers with a new enhanced wall system, a marked difference from the fencing previously constructed in some regions. Forty-seven miles have gone up where no barriers previously existed, according to Customs and Border Protection.

In the waning days of Trump’s presidency, the White House is continuing to push relevant federal agencies to obligate funds available for the wall regardless of whether land has been obtained for construction.

Customs and Border Protection said last week that it’s pressing forward on awarding border wall contracts, including in areas where private land hasn’t been acquired, an unusual move that will complicate Joe Biden’s pledge to halt construction.

Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf repeatedly touted the border wall and the pace of construction.

The Trump administration took a series of steps to erect additional barriers along the southern border, including declaring a national emergency to access additional funds, filing dozens of lawsuits to acquire private land, and waiving environmental and contracting laws to expedite construction.

Trump’s wall will likely continue to be a point of contention into the new administration.

“Building a wall will do little to deter criminals and cartels seeking to exploit our borders,” Biden’s plan reads. “Instead of stealing resources from schools for military children and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, Biden will direct federal resources to smart border enforcement efforts, like investments in improving screening infrastructure at our ports of entry, that will actually keep America safer.”

Biden’s promise to put a stop to construction prompted discussions among Customs and Border Protection officials about what would occur in that event, particularly if funding is cut, according to a Homeland Security official. A US official previously told CNN that some contracts can be modified and government lawyers are discussing what happens with acquisition of private land, but no decisions had been made.