Judge leans toward asserting right to rule on border wall
SAN DIEGO — A judge who was berated by Donald Trump during the presidential campaign said Friday he was inclined to conclude he can decide a lawsuit that challenges the president’s proposed border wall with Mexico but gave no indication how he’ll rule.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said during 2 1/2 hours of arguments that he was leaning toward deciding he has jurisdiction in a lawsuit that alleges the Trump administration overreached in waiving dozens of laws that require environmental and other reviews. The administration argues he doesn’t have jurisdiction.
Curiel asked the administration and wall opponents for additional briefings by the end of Tuesday. He said he planned to decide within days after that whether to dismiss the lawsuit by the state of California and environmental advocates or let it proceed, but cautioned that “there’s a lot of work here.”
At the start of his first hearing on the case, Curiel acknowledged “keen interest” and told everyone in his wood-paneled courtroom to behave respectfully. Then both sides delved into detailed discussion on a 2005 law that gave the Homeland Security secretary broad authority to waive environmental reviews to build border barriers.