The Constitution of the United States of America assigns and reserves to Congress — and only to Congress — the power to appropriate government funds for spending. Under the Constitution, the President of the U.S. has no power or authority to spend government money without Congressional appropriation. As I understand the Constitution.

George Washington was the first president of the United States under the Constitution. Will Donald Trump be the last president under the Constitution?

Tonight, President Trump will address the country from the White House on the issue of spending government money, collected from tax-paying citizens, to build a “wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border.

If Trump attempts tonight to declare a “state of emergency” and spend money to build a wall in defiance of Congress, what are the consequences?

Would we face the most serious constitutional crisis in United states history?

Exactly how would such a crisis be resolved? The third branch of U.S. government, the Supreme Court, would presumably make that decision.

Could Trump attempt to prevent the Supreme Court from sitting? Would the Supreme Court rule in favor of Congress or the President? What happens if the president attempts to defy an order of  the Supreme Court?

Time to read the Constitution. God Bless America.

— John Hayden