'Blindsided' GOP in open rebellion over Trump plan to declare national emergency: 'Unnecessary' and a 'bad idea'

On Thursday, President Donald Trump "blindsided" Republicans by saying that he would sign a funding bill to keep the government open, but would reportedly declare a national emergency in the process. 

The funding proposal allocates about $1.375 billion for physical barriers but does not provide funding for a concrete wall. It also includes funding for about 55 new miles of barriers along the border.

Trump would declare a national emergency to get the rest of the funds for his wall at the US-Mexico border.

Republicans have spoken out against Trump and said that declaring a national emergency to go around Congress is a huge mistake.

"It’s a mistake on the president’s part," Sen. Susan Collins (R-Main) told Politico. "I also believe that it will be challenged in court. It undermines the role of Congress and the appropriations process.”

“I wish he wouldn’t have done it,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). “If [Trump] figures that Congress didn’t do enough and he’s got to do it, then I imagine we’ll find out whether he’s got the authority to do it by the courts.”

“In general, I’m not for running the government by emergency, nor spending money. The Constitution's pretty clear: spending originates and is directed by Congress,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said.

"Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said it was a 'bad idea' but needed to learn more. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said it was 'unnecessary' because Trump has other ways of getting money but said he needed further guidance. And Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) fretted that it was a 'dramatic expansion' of the emergency powers," the report said.

Despite the feedback from his party, Trump has reportedly finalized details for declaring a national emergency.