The White House says President Trump is to declare a national emergency to fund his planned border wall with Mexico.
It would be a way of bypassing Congress to secure the funding.
The move, which is expected to be officially declared today, would allow him to use military funds for the wall.
The announcement came as the White House confirmed Trump will sign a funding bill to avert another government shutdown.
The bill passed by Congress does not contain the $5.7 billion demanded by the president for the border wall.
Instead, he's now set to declare the emergency in a bid to start construction of the wall.
Statement on Government Funding Bill: pic.twitter.com/DrNv9D4rEi
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) February 14, 2019
"Lawless act"
Senior Democrats have responded by accusing the president of planning to commit a "gross abuse of power".
Both Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said the move would be a "lawless act".
Mrs Pelosi, the House speaker, said: "It is yet another demonstration of Donald Trump's naked contempt for the rule of law. This is not an emergency, and the President’s fearmongering doesn’t make it one.
Declaring a national emergency would be a lawless act, a gross abuse of the power of the presidency and a desperate attempt to distract from the fact that Donald Trump broke his core promise to have Mexico pay for his wall.
However, a number of Republicans also expressed unease over the announcement from the White House.
They're concerned the move could set a precedent for future Democratic presidents.
Such a precedent could in the future see emergencies declared over issues such as climate change or gun violence.
My statement on reports President Trump will declare a national emergency to fund more border walls: pic.twitter.com/fTDgKkRDd6
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) February 14, 2019
Democrats have said they're keeping their options open to 'respond appropriately' to any declaration.
That could potentially include legal action.
A court challenge, even if ultimately unsuccessful, could significantly delay the implementation of any emergency declaration.
