Trump digs into Biden admin for selling off border wall at ‘five cents on the dollar’

Trump Criticizes Biden Administration Over Border Wall Sales

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump intensified his criticisms of the Biden administration’s handling of border wall materials. He condemned the administration for offloading these materials at what he described as a paltry “five cents on the dollar,” reinforcing his sentiment by stating, “These people either hate our country or they’re stupid.”

Allegations of Price Gouging

Trump didn’t stop there; he also directed his ire at the private company responsible for managing the sales of these border wall materials. He accused them of attempting to resell the very same materials back to his incoming administration at an inflated price. “They were calling us up and saying: ‘We’ll sell it back to you at 200 cents,'” he said. “In other words, double what we paid for it. So, they were going to buy it from this guy [President Joe Biden] for five cents on the dollar. They were making deals.”

The Context of Border Wall Sales

These remarks precede a contentious political climate surrounding the border wall, particularly after the Biden administration announced the cessation of most border wall construction in 2021. Following this decision, various parts of the border wall began to be auctioned off starting in early 2023. This included listings on online marketplaces aimed at offloading materials that were previously intended for secure border infrastructure.

Government Auctions and Legal Actions

According to officials from the Department of Defense, materials sold through these online auctions had already been disposed of in earlier transactions. A substantial amount was sold to a government surplus retailer known as Gov Planet. However, the situation took a legal turn. After a lawsuit was filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Biden administration was compelled to agree to a court order halting further sales of the wall materials, highlighting the contentious legal landscape surrounding the issue.

Trump’s Outcry Against the Sales

In December, Trump labeled the Biden administration’s actions regarding border wall sales as “almost a criminal act.” He expressed concern that these sales could inflict financial harm on American taxpayers, potentially costing them “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Trump reiterated his frustrations on Tuesday, stating that the private retailer was seeking exorbitant prices, claiming, “They were selling the wall for five cents on the dollar and trying to resell it back to us for 200 cents.” He emphasized that the wall was originally designed to meet the stringent requirements set forth by the Border Patrol, which included materials of high quality—steel, concrete, and rebar—all made to last.

A Silver Lining: Judicial Intervention

Fortunately for Trump and his supporters, he claims a “very smart judge” intervened in the situation, effectively stopping the sale of the wall materials in its tracks. Pushing back against the price gouging, Trump argued, “You know what ‘immediately’ is? Just leave it in place.” He reiterated that the wall under question was crucial for border security and was exactly what the Border Patrol had requested.

Concluding Remarks

Trump’s ongoing battle with the Biden administration over border security illustrates the deep political divides within the country. He concluded his tirade by stating bluntly, “These people either hate our country or they’re very stupid.” This reflects a broader narrative among Trump supporters, who believe the Biden administration’s policies are detrimental to national security. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these border wall sales and the legal ramifications may serve to fuel further debate leading up to the next election cycle.