THE U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration can redirect US$2.5 billion in congressionally approved funds for its proposed barrier structure along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The nation’s top court ruled that Trump can redirect US$2.5 billion in Pentagon funds to the construction of another 100 miles (160 kilometers) of wall along the border between the United States and Mexico.

The administration wanted the funds to go directly to sections of the border wall in Arizona, California and New Mexico.

On Jan. 25, Trump temporarily lifted the government shutdown for three weeks and then announced a full lift in February after Congress granted US$1.4 billion in funding.

Unable to meet the original US$5.7 billion goal, the president declared a national emergency on the southern border of the United States, which would allow him to redirect funds from the Department of Defense.

Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the latest development in the wall’s funding since February.

(SD-Agencies)