In the waning days of President Joe Biden’s administration, significant efforts are underway to remove and auction off unused sections of the southern border wall. This move is perceived by some as an attempt to impede President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to resume and expand border wall construction upon taking office in January.
Footage obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents reveals flatbed trucks transporting dismantled steel wall sections from areas near Tucson, Arizona—a region noted for high levels of illegal crossings. An anonymous border patrol agent reported that materials are being removed from Nogales, Tucson, and Three Points, with the objective of clearing these sections before Christmas.
The dismantled materials are being relocated to Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona, where they are listed for sale on GovPlanet, an online auction platform specializing in surplus government equipment. Recent listings describe the items as “Steel Bollard Wall Sections w/Grout,” with bidding starting as low as $5. Auctions have been conducted throughout December, with additional sales scheduled.
The materials in question have remained unused since President Biden halted border wall construction in 2021, a decision that has drawn criticism amid a surge in illegal border crossings. Republican lawmakers argue that selling these taxpayer-funded resources undermines national security and wastes public funds. Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) expressed concerns that the administration is intentionally obstructing the incoming president’s border security initiatives.
President-elect Trump has consistently emphasized border security, pledging to build an “impenetrable, physical, tall, powerful, beautiful southern border wall.” During his previous term, approximately 450 miles of barriers were constructed, with plans for an additional 250 miles underway. The current removal and auctioning of wall materials are viewed by some as deliberate efforts to delay or complicate the continuation of these projects.
The White House has not provided comments regarding these actions. However, the situation continues to fuel debate over border security policies and the management of government resources, highlighting the ongoing political divide on immigration and national security strategies.
From this perspective, the administration’s decision to sell off border wall materials not only represents a mismanagement of taxpayer dollars but also poses a risk to national security by potentially delaying critical infrastructure aimed at controlling illegal immigration.
