The Biden administration’s auctioning of unused border wall materials has sparked backlash from Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, who called for an immediate halt to the operation. Critics argue the move is wasteful and intended to sabotage Trump’s plans to enhance border security.
In Arizona, government contractors are removing steel bollards and fencing purchased under Trump’s first term and listing them on a government auction site. Starting bids are as low as $5. According to Border Patrol officials, about half a mile of materials is being transported daily to meet a deadline of clearing the stockpile by Christmas.
Joe Biden is a vindictive bitter old man selling off COMPLETED "Bollard Wall" panels as scrap.
Already welded, already filled with concrete, already in place by the border, and ALREADY PAID FOR.
Starting bids are $5. pic.twitter.com/JnmmHM3RdV— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) December 12, 2024
Trump criticized the sell-off on his social media platform, Truth, writing, “It will cost the U.S. a fortune, and time, to get the exact same wall to replace what has been sold, and the new wall will cost triple the price. It is CRAZY, and must be stopped.”
Republican lawmakers have joined the chorus of criticism. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) demanded the operation cease in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Schmitt accused the Biden administration of sabotaging Trump’s incoming presidency, highlighting that the government is recouping less than 0.02% of taxpayer funds used to purchase the materials. He also emphasized the urgent need for these resources to address the ongoing border crisis.
Biden to auction off apx 250 miles of border wall at $10,000 loss per panel to facilitate open borders, and the inept border policy @SecMayorkas has been peddling for 4 years. pic.twitter.com/bUtIkyDqBA
— Robert Newcomb – Irregular/Asymmetric Warfare & AI (@DefendUtah) December 13, 2024
The auctioning of materials comes as illegal immigration remains a top concern for Republicans. Critics argue that Biden’s border policies have exacerbated the issue, and selling off wall supplies only compounds the problem. Many view the move as a politically motivated effort to obstruct Trump’s immigration agenda.
Biden Administration has auctioned off the rest of ALL border wall parts. Pennies on the dollar were brought in out of the $2 billion you spent to buy the materials.
Biden=worst Pres. ever! pic.twitter.com/NgOxfo8WC9— Permitfisher (@Permitfisher32) December 13, 2024
With Trump set to take office in January, the controversy over the border wall materials highlights the growing divide between the outgoing and incoming administrations on immigration policy and border security priorities.
