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Democratic Colorado politicians decry Trump's emergency declaration for border wall

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on Friday to fulfill his pledge to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has denounced Donald Trump's decision to declare a national emergency that could allow the president to build a southern border wall.

The Democratic governor issued a Friday statement calling Trump's plan to bypass Congress to spend more money on border barriers "an astonishing abuse of power."

Polis says that "while the president tries to separate us, Coloradans, and my administration, will continue to unite by building a better Colorado for all."

Congress has given Trump about $1.4 billion for border barriers, well below the $5.7 billion Trump has insisted he needed to build a wall.

Trump's move has been condemned by Democrats and elicited threats of lawsuits from states and others who might lose federal money or say Trump is abusing his authority.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also weighed in on Trump's announcement, saying the state will "fight this action with every tool at our disposal." 

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Weiser said: 

"As Attorney General, I am committed to defending the rule of law and addressing the improper use of the Emergency Powers Act to build a wall along the U.S. - Mexico border. This includes analyzing how this declaration will affect Colorado and then deciding whether the State of Colorado should file a lawsuit or support one brought by others as a 'friend of the court.'" 

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), meanwhile, did not say whether he officially supported Trump's decision. 

RELATED | Trump declares national emergency for border wall funding

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