Retired Republican condemns Trump's national emergency threat as 'a violation of the Constitution'

Retired Pennsylvania Republican congressman Charlie Dent slammed President Donald Trump in a Thursday CNN appearance, saying the president's threat to declare a national emergency over the southern border was an unacceptable power grab and a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Dent told host Brianna Keilar that in a few days, Trump would have a choice to sign or veto any compromise bill to fund the government.

"If he decides to impose a national emergency, as a former congressman, I can tell you that would be an usurpation of Congressional authorities on a grand scale," he said.

"To think that he's going to take money that's already been appropriated for military construction projects or natural disasters, approved by Congress, signed into law by the president and then move them to pay for a barrier on the southern border," Dent continued, "is flagrantly in violation of the Article I powers of the Constitution."

Watch the video below.