Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) defended President Trump declaring a national emergency to secure the funding needed to build a border wall on the U.S.-Southern border.
When pressed about how the national emergency declaration could cut into Department of Defense funds for projects such as building a new middle school in Kentucky, Graham said that it is “better” for the kids “to have a secure border” because “right now we’ve got a national emergency.”
"It's better for the middle school kids in Kentucky to have a secure border,” said the senator. “We'll get them the school they need, but right now we've got a national emergency on our hands."
Graham continued to explain, “Opioid addiction is going through the roof in this country. Thousands of Americans died this year and died last year because we can’t control the flow of drugs into this country.”
Immediately liberals and media outlets jumped at the soundbite, sharing just a portion of his remarks and accusing Graham of caring more about President Trump’s agenda than children’s education.
Others tweeted suggesting that this proves the Trump administration “has something on” Sen. Graham.
What they did not mention is that Graham also said that “the president will have to make a decision for how to get the money,” meaning it may not even effect such projects included the allocated DOD funds for military construction.
After President Trump declared a national emergency on Friday, Graham voiced his support for the move, saying, “Unfortunately, he’s got to do it on his own, and I support his decision.”