Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan has authorised $1 billion to build part of the wall sought by Donald Trump along the US-Mexico border, the first funds designated for the project under the president's emergency declaration.
Frustrated by Congress's refusal to provide the budget he wanted, Trump declared a national emergency last month.
Trump has made border security an over-arching domestic issue and says it will remain at the center of the agenda in his 2020 reelection bid. In memos addressed to acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan and Navy secretary Richard Spencer, General Robert Neller wrote that he had been forced to cancel or reduce exercises in five countries.Neller added the declaration meant the corps could not afford to rebuild hurricane-hit bases in North Carolina and Georgia.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wrong man for the job: Donald Trump has made a mistake with this choiceComment: Once again, the President has shown he favours loyalty and ideology over expertise and judgement, writes Noah Smith.
Read more »
Trump witness backed controversial report used to criticise Labor's climate policyThe report, touted by the Morrison government, was peer reviewed by an expert helping defend the Trump administration in an historic climate trial brought by children.
Read more »
'It does trouble me': Sadiq Khan takes veiled swipe at Trump after Christchurch attacks'It does trouble me': Sadiq Khan takes swipe at Donald Trump after Christchurch attacks | latikambourke
Read more »
With one tweet Donald Trump changes decades of US Middle East policyThe US President's decision to tweet his support for Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights marks a dramatic shift in US position.
Read more »
Donald Trump lashes out after Russia probe, cites 'treasonous' actsThe Republican president and his allies in Congress went on the offensive a day after the release of a summary of Mueller's report gave him a political victory.
Read more »
'Never a fan': Trump lashes out again at late senator John McCainUS President Donald Trump has lashed out at the late John McCain again - saying he was 'never a fan' of the Arizona senator and Vietnam War hero and 'never will be
Read more »
Trump says ISIS hours away from defeat | Sky News AustraliaUS President Donald Trump has declared ISIS is just hours away from defeat in Syria, taking credit for the terrorist group's reported downfall.\n\nIn an address on the White House lawn, President Trump claimed ISIS will be 'gone by tonight', holding up a pair of maps to indicate the dramatic reduction of the Islamic State's presence in Syria since his election.\n\nThe President confirmed he will leave only 200 troops on the ground in the country's centre and an additional 200 closer to the country's Israeli border.\n\nPresident Trump previously pledged to withdraw all troops from Syria but has since reversed the decision in order to maintain a 'safe zone' in the country's northeast.\n\n\n
Read more »
Trump reversing new sanctions on North KoreaUS President Donald Trump tweeted that he has reversed his administration's decision to slap new sanctions on North Korea. 9News
Read more »
Trump recognises Israeli sovereignty of disputed Golan Heights, breaking decades of consensusUS President Donald Trump has broken with decades of international consensus by signing a proclamation recognising Israeli sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights
Read more »