Md., Va. join multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump's national emergency declaration for border wall

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh joined Virginia and 14 other states in a multi-state lawsuit that is challenging President Trump's national emergency declaration for a border wall with Mexico.

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration's emergency declaration and the attempt to divert funding appropriated by Congress is "unconstitutional and otherwise unlawful."

A press release says that the states are seeking to "block Trump's' emergency declaration, the overall unauthorized construction of the border wall and any illegal diversion of Congressionally-appropriated funds."

"There is no justification to declare a national emergency at our southern border," said Frosh. "The basis for President Trump's declaration is fabricated. It is an illegal power grab and an abuse of executive authority. We are bringing this suit to defend the Constitution."

The lawsuit was led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. The other states who have joined the complaint along with Maryland and Virginia include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Oregon.