The Trump administration said Tuesday that it is waiving federal contracting laws to speed construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, moving the president closer to fulfilling a signature campaign promise in an election year but sparking criticism about potential for fraud, waste and abuse.

H/T: AP NEWS

Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf appeared on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning to explain how the White House is using existing resources and authority already granted by Congress to speed up the process of securing the southern border.

Border wall update courtesy of Acting @DHS_Wolf:



120 miles new border wall in the ground today.

200 miles under construction right now.

450 miles by the end of the year. pic.twitter.com/VXcOU2t7On — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 18, 2020

Watch a full-version of Wolf's appearance on Fox & Friends below.

Trump administration moves to accelerate construction of border wall https://t.co/R0aISG2wWS — DeepClips (@DeepClips) February 18, 2020

As Trump presses ahead with the Mexican border wall, both opponents and his administration are invoking the environment—one side to stop the barrier, and the other to build it https://t.co/KrwbGEo4RW via @WSJ @TimPuko — FAIR (@FAIRImmigration) February 18, 2020

Trump blames 'Fake News' for reporting wind blew down part of border wall https://t.co/AJvAWuVqgg via @nypost — Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) February 18, 2020

And for those just wanting to see some of the beautiful new border wall, watch some great aerial footage of it under construction near Douglas, Arizona as shot on January 31, 2020 below.