GovPlanet, a government surplus auction house, is reportedly preparing to return up to $350 million worth of unused construction materials originally designated for the border wall project initiated under the Trump administration. These materials, including steel panels, bollards, and concrete, were acquired by GovPlanet after President Biden took office and halted construction in early 2021.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is currently in negotiations with GovPlanet for the return of these materials. The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly reached an agreement, though details remain undisclosed. It is understood that a third-party contractor will take possession of the materials within a 90-day timeframe.
This situation has not gone unnoticed by President Trump. In a news conference at The Kennedy Center, Trump expressed his intention to pursue legal action against GovPlanet through Attorney General Pam Bondi. The former president stated, and I quote, “They stole the wall from us,” attributing the dispersal of construction components to his Democratic successor.
A federal judge in Texas ruled in January that the Biden administration is prohibited from selling any of the building materials or redirecting funds originally allocated for the project. In response, GovPlanet has reportedly removed the wall materials from its website.
GovPlanet has issued a statement indicating its intention to return the construction materials to the government at cost, citing a desire to protect taxpayer dollars. They emphasized their ongoing partnership with the U.S. government and commitment to supporting federal agencies.
Reports suggest that work on the border wall may resume in parts of California and Texas once these materials are returned. Congress had previously approved $46.5 billion for the wall’s construction under the Trump administration.
As this situation continues to unfold, many questions remain about the future of the border wall project and the allocation of these significant resources.
