Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRand Paul says he can't judge 'guilt or innocence' in Breonna Taylor case Overnight Health Care: Health officials tell public to trust in science | Despair at CDC under Trump influence | A new vaccine phase 3 trial starts Health officials tell public to trust in science MORE (R-Ky.) said President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE would solidify opposition to tariffs on Mexico if he justified the levies by arguing there was a national emergency at the border.

Paul, an outspoken libertarian, said on CNN Tuesday that an emergency declaration would infringe on Congress’s power of the purse and mandate over creating laws.

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“Really tariffs, laws, have to originate with Congress, and I think you just can’t declare emergencies on spending, on tariffs, also on arms sales,” he said, referring to a potential arms sale to Saudi Arabia that has faced staunch opposition in Congress.



“So I think what you may be finding if we try to run government by emergency is it may solidify opposition. Even people like myself who are largely supportive of President Trump, largely supportive of his initiatives, I can’t be for letting the president have all the power that the Constitution gave to Congress.”

RAND PAUL: "If we try to run govt by emergency ... it may solidify opposition. Even people like myself who are largely supportive of President Trump, largely supportive of his initiatives, I can't be for letting him have all the power that the Constitution gave to Congress." pic.twitter.com/XKjVMsB4LU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 4, 2019

Trump appears determined to slap the tariffs on Mexico despite Republican opposition, saying the move is necessary to force America’s southern neighbor to take more stringent action to prevent illegal border crossings.

A 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports is scheduled to take effect Monday and could steadily rise to 25 percent if Trump is dissatisfied with Mexico’s efforts. The move alarmed Mexico City and prompted it to send a team of diplomats to Washington this week to convince the White House against implementing the penalties.

“We are going to see if we can do something, but think it’s more likely that the tariffs go on,” Trump said at a press conference Tuesday, adding that it would be “foolish” for Republicans to try to stop him.

Trump said he would impose the levies under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, legislation that allows for Congress to terminate the national emergency declaration with a joint resolution passed by both chambers.

Congressional Republicans are mulling a possible resolution to block the new tariffs, but have expressed skepticism it would even come up on the Senate floor.