Poll: Most oppose Trump declaring national emergency to fund border wall

Two-thirds of Americans in a new poll said President Trump should not declare a national emergency to secure funding for his desired wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The CBS News poll found that 66 percent of respondents are against Trump declaring a national emergency to build the wall, while 34 percent support that measure. The president said last Friday there’s a “good chance” he will issue an emergency declaration for the wall.

The CBS poll found that most Republicans support Trump declaring an emergency. Party members surveyed were split 50-50 on whether Trump should force another government shutdown over wall funding, or whether he should keep the government open to negotiate.

{mosads}Seventy-three percent of those polled said that Trump should continue to negotiate while keeping the government open, and 75 percent said they want congressional Democrats to do the same.

The CBS poll surveyed 1,596 U.S. residents online from Jan. 28-31. The margin of error is 2.6 percentage points.

The president previously triggered a record 35-day government shutdown over his demand for $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall. He has not ruled out shutting down the government again, or declaring a national emergency to direct construction of the wall.

Trump agreed to reopen the government until Feb. 15, and a group of bipartisan lawmakers has been tasked with negotiating funding for border security.

Trump has cast doubt on the chances that the group will deliver a satisfactory deal, telling Republicans they are “wasting their time” in negotiations, and insisting the final agreement must include money for a wall along the border.

The president’s comments have raised the likelihood he will declare a national emergency. Republican lawmakers have opposed such a move, noting it would draw legal challenges and set a dangerous precedent.