Construction of a high border wall to prevent illegal immigration.
ALEX GUILLÉN
POLITICO
The border wall championed by President Donald Trump harmed the environment and trampled on Native American cultural sites, according to a report released on Thursday by the Government Accountability Office.
The 450 miles of barrier constructed during Trump’s time in office — one of his highest-profile actions — proceeded by waiving or disregarding environmental and historic preservation laws. But it’s now clear the wall interfered with endangered species, diverted water sources and caused other environmental damage, the federal watchdog said.
“This racist political stunt has been an ineffective waste of billions of American taxpayers’ dollars — and now we know it has caused immeasurable, irreparable harm to our environment and cultural heritage as well,” Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who requested the report, said in a statement.
Trump’s campaign could not immediately be reached for a response on Thursday.
