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The Express Gazette
Saturday, October 17, 2026

Border Wall Construction Faces Delays Blamed on California Democrats

Homeland Security Secretary attributes delays and early opposition to actions by California Democrats and left-wing groups.

US Politics • 2 hours ago
Border Wall Construction Faces Delays Blamed on California Democrats

The completion of former President Donald Trump's border wall has been pushed back, with the earliest projected finish date now set for late 2027. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has cited opposition from California Democrats and various left-wing organizations as a primary reason for the prolonged construction timeline.

Mullin stated this week that figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom were among those who opposed the project, contributing to its delays. The effort to construct the wall was a central promise of Trump's first term, and its incomplete status is now being framed by critics as a consequence of political obstruction.

During Trump's presidency, congressional Democrats, led by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, reportedly refused to allocate funding for the wall. This led to a government shutdown, and Trump ultimately used emergency funds to initiate construction. Following this, Democrats and other groups filed lawsuits, challenging the project and further slowing progress.

The state of California was among the litigants, and its legal actions contributed to the delays. The Biden administration later settled these cases, but by then, significant construction equipment had reportedly been left unused. California Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed credit for leading 18 other states in legal efforts against the wall, calling it "a relic of the past."

Despite these challenges, the article suggests that construction on the wall is now proceeding. It posits that border security measures, including the wall, are essential for any future immigration reform, asserting that public support for amnesty is unlikely without assurances that illegal crossings will be curtailed. The narrative also notes that Governor Newsom has not filed border wall challenges against the federal government during the current administration, implying a potential shift in the state's stance.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin ride ATVs along a dusty dirt road next to the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks at a news conference.


Sources