California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) held a joint press conference on Friday to announce the state's intent to sue the White House over President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration that diverts funds from various departments and projects towards construction of a border wall.
According to Newsom and Becerra, Trump's declaration is unconstitutional because Congress holds the power of the purse.
“President Trump got one thing right this morning about his declaration, when he said ‘I didn’t have to do this,’” Becerra said, referring to the Trump’s remarks at the White House. “In fact, he can’t do this… This is a president showing his disdain for the rule of law and our U.S. Constitution.”
“No one in America is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Becerra stated. “He can’t do this, because the U.S. Constitution gives Congress, not the president the powers to direct dollars, the powers of the purse.”
Both Democrats took to Twitter to remind the public that they believe President Trump "manufactured" the crisis at the border.
President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up “national emergency” in order to seize power. This “emergency” is a national disgrace -- and the blame lays solely at the feet of the President.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 15, 2019
Our message to the White House is simple: CA will see you in court.
Becerra even went as far as saying this is a "fake national emergency," clearly a jab at Trump's popular "fake news" talking points.
We are here to stand up for the rule of law and the institutions of this democracy. @realDonaldTrump, you didn’t have to do this. #FakeNationalEmergency pic.twitter.com/YzHBc0MgnE
— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) February 15, 2019
Let's see who comes out ahead in a court of law.