A coalition of 16 states filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block Donald Trump's attempt to obtain funding for his border wall by declaring a national emergency. The suit, California et al. v. Trump et al., filed in the Northern District of California, argues that Trump's declaration is unconstitutional. The states hope to obtain a preliminary injunction to halt Trump's ability to access federal funds.
Trump has already lost several battles in the federal district where the suit was filed, including rulings against his original Muslim ban.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who helped spearhead the effort, suggested Trump had shot himself in the foot during his own announcement of the "emergency."
“Probably the best evidence is the president’s own words,” Becerra told the New York Times, referring to Trump's admission,“I didn’t need to do this, but I’d rather do it much faster.”
The plaintiffs listed in the suit are as follows: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Attorney General Dana Nessel on behalf of the People of Michigan.