Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors says the Trump Administration's diversion of $3.6 billion in military construction dollars to build the southern border wall is unlawful.
Connors joined other state attorneys general in filing a motion for a partial summary judgment to stop the diversion of funds approved by Congress for military projects.
"The diversion violates the separation of powers that is fundamental to our democracy," said Connors in a statement Saturday "This illegal act has a direct impact on military facilities at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, and therefore a direct impact on the financial health of our state."
The $3.6 billion would be taken from 120 miitary projects, including $26.5 million for construction in Hawaii. At Hickam, a consolidated training facility for Air Force Reserve units would be affected while at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, security improvements to Mokapu Gate would be impacted.
According to the state challenge, the Trump administration action violates the Constitution, exceeds the administration's lawful authority and violates the Administration Procedure Act. Further, the border wall would violate environmental law, the state contend.
President Trump has made building a border wall one of the key goals of his administration. Defemse officials said they were working to get Congress to appropriate additional money for the military projects that have been put on hold.
