Texas blocks Biden’s border wall material sales
By isabelle // 2025-01-08
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  • Texas AG Ken Paxton blocked the Biden administration from selling border wall materials, preserving them for Trump’s planned construction.
  • A federal judge halted sales for 30 days, following a May 2024 injunction requiring funds to be used for border wall construction.
  • Biden’s auction of materials at steep discounts drew criticism from conservatives, with Trump calling it “almost criminal.”
  • The legal battle reflects the ongoing clash between Biden’s immigration policies and conservative border security priorities.
  • Trump’s incoming administration plans to resume wall construction, reigniting debates over immigration and federal spending.
In a decisive victory for border security, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully blocked the Biden administration from selling off materials intended for the southern border wall, ensuring they remain available for President-elect Donald Trump’s planned resumption of construction. The move comes after months of controversy over the Biden administration’s decision to auction off steel bollards, concrete slabs, and other wall components at a fraction of their original cost. On December 27, a federal judge approved a 30-day halt on further sales, allowing the incoming Trump administration to reclaim the materials for their intended purpose. This legal battle underscores the ongoing clash between the Biden administration’s immigration policies and the conservative push for a secure border. The court order, secured by  Paxton, prevents the Biden administration from disposing of any additional border wall materials over the next month. This decision follows a May 2024 injunction that required the Biden administration to use statutorily obligated funds for border wall construction, rather than redirecting them elsewhere. Paxton’s office has also demanded documentation to ensure compliance with the earlier injunction, warning that any violations could result in sanctions or contempt of court charges. “We have successfully blocked the Biden Administration from disposing of any further border wall materials before President Trump takes office,” Paxton declared. “This follows our major victory forcing Biden to build the wall, and we will hold his Administration accountable for illegally subverting our Nation’s border security until their very last day in power.” The Biden administration’s decision to auction off wall materials has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives, who argue that the move was politically motivated to undermine Trump’s immigration agenda. Since 2023, materials have been listed on online auction platforms like GovPlanet, with some selling for as little as five cents on the dollar. Critics, including Trump, have called the sales wasteful and counterproductive, especially given the incoming administration’s plans to resume construction.

Trump slams Biden’s “almost criminal” sales

President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal in his condemnation of the Biden administration’s actions, calling the auctions “almost a criminal act.” During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump accused the administration of selling materials at a steep discount, only to force taxpayers to repurchase them at inflated prices. Trump said: “These people either hate our country or they’re very stupid.” He praised the judge’s decision to halt the sales, calling it a victory for common sense and fiscal responsibility. Trump’s criticism highlights broader concerns over the Biden administration’s handling of border security. Since taking office in 2021, President Biden halted most border wall construction, leaving 450 miles of wall incomplete. The decision was celebrated by some Democrats, who view the wall as a symbol of xenophobia, but it has been condemned by border security advocates who argue that physical barriers are essential to deterring illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

A broader battle over immigration policy

The legal battle over border wall materials is emblematic of the deeper ideological divide between the two administrations. The Biden administration’s decision to auction off materials has only deepened this divide, with critics accusing the administration of prioritizing political messaging over practical solutions. The court’s decision to halt the sales is a temporary victory, but the broader fight over border security is far from over. When Trump retakes office, he has pledged to resume construction of the wall, using the materials preserved by Paxton’s legal efforts. This move is likely to reignite debates over immigration policy, federal spending, and the role of physical barriers in securing the border. The Biden administration’s attempt to sell off border wall materials has been halted, at least for now, thanks to the efforts of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a federal judge. This decision ensures that President-elect Donald Trump will have the resources needed to resume construction of the wall, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Sources for this article include: TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov FoxNews.com FoxNews.com
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