House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that new testimony from top U.S. intelligence officials could "undermine" President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE's ability to declare a national emergency for constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"The fact that none of the intel chiefs brought up a threat at the southern border as being one of the most pressing threats facing the country, that could be Exhibit A in a challenge to any kind of a declaration of a national emergency,” Schiff said on MSNBC, a day after Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray CoatsFBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Former Intel chief had 'deep suspicions' that Putin 'had something on Trump': book MORE and CIA Director Gina Haspel testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee about global threats to the U.S.

The two officials discussed issues such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, China and Russia, among other things, during Tuesday's hearing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Schiff argued that their testimony showed "that none of the intelligence agencies think" there is an "emergency" at the border, adding "both parties don’t think this is an emergency."

"I think, if anything, it is going to undermine that legal case that the president may try to make, that hearing yesterday could be a central exhibit," Schiff said.

Schiff suggests will use intel chiefs' testimony if Trump tries national emergency card pic.twitter.com/XramYDqbk3 — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) January 30, 2019

Trump has promised since his 2016 campaign to build a border wall. During the recent partial government shutdown, which lasted a record 35 days, the president insisted on funding from Congress to build a wall.

He eventually signed a continuing resolution that temporarily reopened the government, without money for wall construction.

Trump has floated the idea of declaring a national emergency if Congress can't reach an agreement that provides wall funding. Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE (R-S.C.) on Monday said Trump "must" take that step if lawmakers can't reach a deal with the White House.

Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashOn The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president History is on Edward Snowden's side: Now it's time to give him a full pardon Trump says he's considering Snowden pardon MORE (R-Mich.) and Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Florida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll MORE (R-Fla.) have both voiced opposition to using emergency powers as an option, with Rubio calling it a "terrible" idea.