The Biden administration’s decision to auction off unused border wall materials has drawn sharp criticism from President-elect Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers, who view the move as wasteful and politically motivated.
In Arizona, government contractors are hauling away steel bollards and fencing initially purchased during Trump’s first term. The materials, listed on a government auction site, are being sold for starting bids as low as $5. Border Patrol officials estimate about half a mile’s worth of materials is being cleared daily, with the goal of selling all surplus stock 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 denounced the sales on Friday, writing on Truth, “Joe Biden keeps talking about a smooth transition and unified government, and yet he races to sell desperately needed border wall for pennies on the dollar. It is CRAZY, and must be stopped.” He argued that replacing the materials would cost taxpayers far more, delaying efforts to enhance border security under his administration.
Republicans see the sell-off as an attempt to undermine Trump’s border security agenda ahead of his January 20 inauguration. Without the materials, the new administration may face delays and increased costs to procure replacements, potentially requiring additional funding from Congress.
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
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) condemned the sales in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “This is not only wasteful but deliberate sabotage of the incoming Trump Administration’s plans to address the border crisis,” Schmitt wrote. He highlighted that the government is recovering less than 0.02% of taxpayer money spent on the materials, adding that replacements will cost significantly more.
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
The Biden administration’s border policies have been a focal point of Republican criticism, with illegal immigration reaching record levels. Many see the auctioning of border wall materials as a symbol of the administration’s failure to address the ongoing crisis.
As Trump prepares to retake office, the controversy over the wall materials underscores the challenges his administration will face in addressing immigration and securing the southern border.
