When Joe Biden campaigned for the presidential office, he told NPR’s Lulu Garcia-Navarro during an interview:
“There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration, No. 1.”
After he took office, he followed up on that promise and ceased all new border wall construction. He also told Congress to cancel the wall’s construction funding. But he is only permitted to pause border construction projects. He cannot cancel the project.
“The Biden administration’s flat refusal to use funds that have already been set aside by Congress to build the border wall is not only illegal and unconstitutional. It’s also wrong,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
This illegal activity has prompted the GOP to sue Biden multiple times. According to Fox News, one excuse for the pause is the Biden administration has claimed they are looking at the environmental impact of the wall.
But on Thursday, the administration quietly announced that construction would resume in key Arizona areas that are currently busy crossing spots for illegals.
The Biden administration on Thursday authorized completion of the Trump-funded U.S.-Mexico border wall in an open area of southern Arizona near Yuma, where four wide gaps make it among the busiest corridors for illegal crossings. https://t.co/ew4WcUAEZU
— CTV Saskatoon (@ctvsaskatoon) July 29, 2022
The administration has been trying to downplay the decision.
White House downplays decision to fill in border wall gaps, claims Biden admin 'cleaning up' Trump's 'mess' https://t.co/CLOf1mvzHa
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 29, 2022
But social media speculation continues, with many pointing to Biden’s low approval numbers among Hispanic voters as motivating the decision.
The Biden Administration knows Mexican people are now supporting Trump… So magically, they just approved to restart construction of the border wall in AZ.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 29, 2022
Others point to the unpopularity of Biden’s national security policies and how they endanger Democrat politicians who face tight races this fall.
NEW: Sen. Mark Kelly, who’s facing a tough re-election bid, touted his role in getting Biden to fill gaps in the border wall despite having voted against legislation aiding the barrier in the past
More here on Kelly’s rhetoric versus his record:https://t.co/PBi0pxfNwa
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) July 29, 2022
The influx of migrants being bused to D.C. to live among those responsible for creating border chaos could also play a role in Biden’s change of heart. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked Biden to intervene as the influx of illegals is making her job more difficult.
https://twitter.com/Fightforfree774/status/1553001982364901376?s=20&t=CiTi2hBoCH96WAJs1krLmA