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However the associated chants—"Build the wall" and "Finish the wall"—remain popular at Trump MAGA rallies.
Therefore one way or another the President is determined to get his wall.
But in addition to criticism of the overall effectiveness and the cost of an ineffective border security solution, people also found fault with the President declaring a national emergency so he could raid Defense Department coffers to pay for his wall.
Now there are questions being raised about the contract bid and award process after a $400 million DoD contract was given to a GOP donor.
NEW: North Dakota company that Trump repeatedly and personally pushed to receive a contract to build his border wal… https://t.co/Iz9didkPLM— Josh Dawsey (@Josh Dawsey) 1575338278.0
In most cases, government contracts are required to go through a competitive bid process. While it is a fallacy that the lowest bid always wins, choosing a higher bid requires a number of conditions be met.
And cronyism or any conflict of interest or favoritism is strictly verboten.
Fisher Sand and Gravel Company of North Dakota will build new fencing in Arizona. Reports state Trump repeatedly pushed for the company to be given the contract—ignoring concerns from engineering officials.
The similarities to the award of the contract for electrical work in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria—also handed to a friend of Donald despite concerns over their ability to complete the job—were not lost on people.
As far back as 2018, people were sounding the alarm about Trump's hand picked contractors.
Predator trump and regime hired WhiteFish Energy, a two man corrupt “company”, to fix the entire electric grid in P… https://t.co/GI0ySSNKba— Ricky Davila (@Ricky Davila) 1520036381.0
@elchowling/Twitter
@MZHemingway @realDonaldTrump Ok and trump gave the contract to repower Puerto Rico to his friends company that had… https://t.co/Hs2MGkgZYp— Justin Davis (@Justin Davis) 1574633853.0
According to a report by The Washington Post, Trump pressured the Army Corps of Engineers to give a DoD funded border wall contract to his friend Tommy Fisher. The CEO made appearances on Fox News to claim he could build the wall for a fraction of the estimated cost.
GOP Donor’s Company Awarded $400 Million Border Wall Contract After Trump Push https://t.co/6mwL7KIkKF https://t.co/vi3dy4M6hj— Law & Crime (@Law & Crime) 1575404963.0
But Fisher's cost cutting measures have gotten the company in hot water before.
Fisher Sand and Gravel paid more than $1 million in fines for environmental and tax violations. Its former co-owner pleaded guilty to tax fraud resulting in a prison sentence.
Fisher has also been accused of not paying contractors.
Just heard that trump has a company that gave $10,000.00 to a senator elect (republican) the company is called Fish… https://t.co/faQ91m6XKK— Maryann LaMagra (@Maryann LaMagra) 1558799243.0
People are calling out the perceived cronyism.
@jdawsey1 @NickMiroff A glass of swamp with a plastic straw and a corruption chaser, anyone?— Jamie Schler (@Jamie Schler) 1575394321.0
@jdawsey1 @NickMiroff All you need to know about major GOP donor Tommy Fisher: He has the support of N Dakota’s… https://t.co/pSVLNU6ay3— LizzDregne (@LizzDregne) 1575393610.0
@jdawsey1 @vermontgmg @NickMiroff Fisher is well known in the Phoenix metro area. Doesn't the federal government ha… https://t.co/efKBQcFfX3— Mata Hari (@Mata Hari) 1575388914.0
@elizabeth_rydan @jdawsey1 @NickMiroff yup— TomQ (@TomQ) 1575395356.0
@jdawsey1 @AdamSerwer @NickMiroff Is there any doubt that Trump would corrupt all levels of decision making by gove… https://t.co/KfOPuAE0G6— NC Vates (@NC Vates) 1575341589.0
@NCVates @jdawsey1 @AdamSerwer @NickMiroff I remember when they tried to get contract earlier with ZERO experience… https://t.co/NluafsIHRf— Wendy Jacobson (@Wendy Jacobson) 1575348650.0
@jdawsey1 @NickMiroff The other bidders need to contest and go to IG, GAO. This is ridiculous.— Mary Quite Contrary (@Mary Quite Contrary) 1575346072.0
In addition to campaigning on building a wall, Trump also promised to "drain the swamp."
So far he's 0 for 2.
The Sinking in the Swamp: How Trump's Minions and Misfits Poisoned Washington can be preordered here.