The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge from 3 conservation groups to Trump’s border wall because it threatened endangered species and violated environmental laws.
The Supreme Court did not issue an opinion but by declining to hear the case it affirms the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel who said the government had the authority to wave the laws in favor of border protection.
According to CNBC:
The groups asked the court to reject a 1996 law signed by President Bill Clinton that provides the executive branch with authority to waive environmental laws if those laws impede construction of barriers and roads near the border.
The law was expanded by Congress in 2005 to give the Department of Homeland Security authority to waive “all legal requirements” that could stand in the way of border construction.
The environmental groups said that government’s ability to waive the laws is unconstitutional. The justices did not issue a ruling on that matter.
But because they will not hear the case, a February ruling by a federal judge in San Diego will remain in place.
President Trump went after the judge in 2016 stating that his ‘Mexican’ heritage kept him from being impartial during a case involving Trump University. However, the president cheered his decision regarding the border wall.
Big legal win today. U.S. judge sided with the Trump Administration and rejected the attempt to stop the government from building a great Border Wall on the Southern Border. Now this important project can go forward!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018
