US Military Assigned Wall-Painting Duty To Improve ‘Aesthetic Appearance’

CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: The sun rises behind a steel and concertina wire barrier that runs behind a shopping mall along the border of the United States and Mexico on January 26, 2019 in Calexico, Californi... CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: The sun rises behind a steel and concertina wire barrier that runs behind a shopping mall along the border of the United States and Mexico on January 26, 2019 in Calexico, California. The U.S. government had been partially shut down as President Donald Trump battled congress for $5.7 billion in funding to resolve border security issues including building walls along the border. Yesterday, President Trump agreed to end the shutdown. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Some U.S. troops deployed to the border by the Trump administration have been assigned painting duty for the next month, CBS News reported. 

According to an email sent by the Department of Homeland Security to Congress and obtained by CBS, the goal is to improve the “aesthetic appearance” of parts of the border wall in California.

“While the primary purpose is to improve the aesthetic appearance of the wall, there may also be an operational benefit based on our experience with painted barrier in Nogales, Arizona,” the email said, according to CBS. DHS said the painted wall makes it easier for border patrol agents to confront “camouflaging tactics” of migrants attempting to cross the border illegally.

Democrats like Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) are calling the assignment a “disgraceful misuse” of taxpayer money and the military.

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Notable Replies

  1. Gee, if you’re so eager for a wall, why not build new parts first instead of painting the existing ones? Doesn’t sound like a emergency at all.

  2. Our nation has the time and money to paint a wall. But not the funds to pay for educational, recreational and legal aid services for migrant children wallowing in warehouse detention centers.

    Seems legit.

  3. Gotta go, TPMers.

    I’m on my way to the enlistment office. Want to get there before the line forms.

    This is exciting! I’m ready to serve my country!

  4. If Trump gets to approve the design, it will be simple: his name in the largest print possible repeated over and over. His best branding project yet. He’s still waiting for the neon sign to be installed on the White House.

  5. Where are the French doors? No French doors—no Freedom Wall! MAGA!!

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