Biden says he had to use Trump-era funds for the border wall. Asked if barriers work, he says ‘No’

By COLLEEN LONG
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is defending his administration’s decision to waive 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow for construction of roughly 20 miles of U.S.-Mexico border wall. The Democratic president says he had no choice but to use the Trump-era funding for the barrier to stop illegal migration from Mexico. Biden told reporters on Thursday that the money was “appropriated for the border wall” and he “can’t stop that.” When Biden was asked whether he thought such walls work, he said flatly, “No.” Biden says he tried to get Congress to redirect the money but lawmakers refused.