US Senator Dick Durbin during a recent stop in central Illinois (Photo courtesy of WJBC Radio, Bloomington)

By Howard Packowitz

The nation’s second highest ranking Senate Democrat warns President Trump of a looming legal battle if he declares a national emergency to build a wall on the southern border. 

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, in Bloomington before returning to the Capitol for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, told WJBC’s Howard Packowitz the president can make an emergency declaration without Congressional approval.      

Durbin says the worry is that what a future president might use the power for if this president can use it over a manufactured crisis on our southern border.

When asked if the next move would be to go to court, Durban responded that a court challenge would start immediately. 

Illinois’ senior Senator said Democratic lawmakers aren’t alone in opposing an emergency declaration. According to Durbin, many conservative Republicans also believe the unilateral action would set a bad precedent for future administrations.