President Donald Trump will sign a spending bill to keep the US government open on Friday, but also plans to declare a national emergency to bypass Congress and secure funds for his border wall, the White House said on Thursday.
Mr Trump’s decision prevents a government shutdown that had been due to take effect on Friday, but plunges the US into uncharted territory, setting up yet another round of intense legal fights between Mr Trump and his opponents.
Multiple high-ranking Republican lawmakers have warned Mr Trump against declaring a national emergency to build the wall. However, at least one of them — Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader — said he had indicated to Mr Trump that he was now ready to support the resolution.