• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea

2

Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026

3

Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?

1

CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea

2

Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026

3

Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?
government shutdown

Trump Could Divert Billions of Dollars Intended for Disaster Relief to Pay for Border Wall

By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 11, 2019, 6:11 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

On Saturday, the current government shutdown will become the longest in U.S. history. And with no negotiated end to it in sight, President Trump is reportedly considering alternative methods to secure funding for his border wall — including taking money from the government budget intended for disaster relief.

Trump is reportedly eyeing $13.9 billion in the Army Corps of Engineers budget that was allocated in a February 2018 bill but never spent. Such funds could cover approximately 315 miles of the border wall. The bill in question provided funding for numerous disaster relief efforts, including reconstruction efforts in post-hurricane Puerto Rico and Florida, flood management projects along the hurricane-affected coastline in Texas, and numerous infrastructure projects in California, including flood protection and wildfire management. While the government remains shut down, meanwhile, all disaster relief contracts have been suspended by FEMA.

In order to reallocate the funds from the Army Corps budget, Trump would need to declare a state of national emergency. Federal law allows the president to divert funds in the case of a national emergency, which in turn was formalized through the 1976 National Emergencies Act. However, Congress can also override an emergency declaration by passing a resolution saying as much.

Trump has asked the Army Corps how quickly they could prepare and sign the contracts, reports The Washington Post. He reportedly hopes that construction could begin within 45 days. Another possible source being considered to fund the wall is drawing on the military construction budget. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that the administration would face a backlash should Trump decide to declare a state of national emergency, with several lawmakers reportedly planning to sue.

While it is still unclear whether Trump will choose to declare a national emergency, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday that without a deal with Congress, “most likely I will do that. I would actually say I would.”

“I can’t imagine any reason why not because I’m allowed to do it,” he continued. “The law is 100% on my side.”

About the Author
By Natasha Bach
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Agentic AI systems are doing more and more work. Now humans need to figure out how to verify it all
AIBrainstorm Tech
Agentic AI systems are doing more and more work. Now humans need to figure out how to verify it all
By Alexei OreskovicJune 15, 2026
5 hours ago
The Southeast Asia 500 has a new engine: Vietnam
MagazineSoutheast Asia 500
The Southeast Asia 500 has a new engine: Vietnam
By Andrew StaplesJune 15, 2026
5 hours ago
President Donald Trump shakes hands with American mixed martial artist Josh Hokit as Hokit stands on the edge of the UFC ring during a championship event at the White House.
CryptoDonald Trump
UFC fighters at the White House got paid with Trump family stablecoins—but an ethics expert says a gap in the law allows this
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 15, 2026
6 hours ago
The Strait of Hormuz is finally reopening, but energy flows may not get back to normal until next year
EnergyOil
The Strait of Hormuz is finally reopening, but energy flows may not get back to normal until next year
By Jason MaJune 15, 2026
8 hours ago
gavin
PoliticsElections
Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of launching political probe into him. The real issue may be his wife’s taxes
By Sophie Austin, Alanna Durkin Richer and The Associated PressJune 15, 2026
8 hours ago
claudia
North AmericaWorld Cup
‘All of this sould prompt reflection’: Sheinbaum says World Cup tickets are too expensive for most Mexicans
By The Associated PressJune 15, 2026
8 hours ago

Most Popular

CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea
Success
CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea
By Preston ForeJune 13, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
16 hours ago
Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?
Economy
Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?
By Nick LichtenbergJune 14, 2026
2 days ago
Meet Gwynne Shotwell, the engineer-turned-COO who runs SpaceX in platform heels and is now worth over $2 billion
Startups & Venture
Meet Gwynne Shotwell, the engineer-turned-COO who runs SpaceX in platform heels and is now worth over $2 billion
By Eva RoytburgJune 15, 2026
23 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, June 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, June 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
16 hours ago
Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983
Personal Finance
Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983
By John W. Diamond and The ConversationJune 12, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.