The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume border wall construction in West Texas
The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to resume border wall construction in West Texas’ Big Bend region, including Big Bend National Park, pausing a lower-court injunction while the legal challenge continues. The unsigned ruling clears the way for work to proceed but does not resolve the underlying dispute.
Get The Augerton Digest by email.
The Texas Tribune reported an 8–1 vote. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole dissenter and gave no reason, SCOTUSblog reported. The Tribune said U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone had raised concerns that the government exceeded its authority to waive environmental laws.
The dispute involves three waivers of environmental and conservation laws issued by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her successor, Markwayne Mullin, SCOTUSblog reported. Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity said the ruling allows bulldozing desert and dynamiting park canyon walls, NPR reported.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting behind this story
- Associated Press — Supreme Court allows Texas border wall construction to continue for now
- NBC News — Supreme Court paves way for Trump to build a section of his border wall in the Big Bend area of Texas
- CBS News — Supreme Court allows Trump administration to resume border wall construction in Big Bend region
- National Public Radio — Supreme Court says border wall construction can continue in West Texas : NPR
- SCOTUSblog — Supreme Court allows Trump administration to continue border wall construction
- The Texas Tribune — Supreme Court allows Big Bend border wall project to resume
- earthjustice.org — Supreme Court Clears Way for Border Construction in Big Bend, Putting National Park at Risk