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
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

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.

Latest News
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: