Hannity: ‘I’m not as concerned as some other conservatives’ if Trump signs border deal

Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night blasted a bipartisan border security agreement as “pathetic,” but said he’s not that concerned about the prospect of President Trump signing it.

Hannity said on his eponymous show that he does not share the same level of concern as some other conservatives about the deal because he believes Trump could secure money for a wall along the southern border through other means, including by declaring a national emergency.

{mosads}”It would be perfectly reasonable for President Trump to reject this bill,” Hannity said. “Now there’s another solution, maybe even a better solution. I’m not as concerned as some other conservatives if the president signs the bill. But there’s a couple of ifs.”

Hannity argued that Trump could sign the deal, which includes $1.375 billion in funding for roughly 55 miles of new barriers along the southern border, and combine it with federal money that could be reallocated from other areas.

The president could then declare a national emergency to direct additional construction of the wall, Hannity said, acknowledging that it would be likely to draw immediate legal challenges. 

Trump has raised the prospect for weeks of declaring a national emergency if he did not receive his desired $5.7 billion in wall funding. Republicans have voiced opposition to the move, warning that it would get tied up in the courts and could set a dangerous precedent.

Trump has until Friday to sign legislation funding border security and other parts of the government to avert another partial government shutdown. The president previously triggered a 35-day shutdown over his demand for $5.7 billion in wall money.

Trump on Tuesday voiced disappointment in the deal reached by lawmakers, but indicated later that he was open to the agreement. Conservative allies of the president have criticized the deal, but indicated they expect Trump to ultimately sign it and take executive action on the wall.