Tom Cotton Urges Pentagon to keep records on sale of border wall materials

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Republican Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday, requesting the Department of Defense (DoD) preserve all records related to the sale of materials intended for the construction of the U.S. southern border wall. The Biden administration has been selling excess border wall materials at low prices after halting the wall’s construction, in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorized the disposal of unused materials.

Cotton’s letter demands that the DoD provide written assurance that all electronic and written communications related to sales are kept intact. He also requested a “full accounting” of how the materials were disposed of under the NDAA and a list of the companies that purchased the materials. The senator emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, criticizing the disposal of the materials as a waste of taxpayer money and a threat to national security.

Cotton also expressed optimism that the situation would change after President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, 2025, signaling the end of what he described as a mismanagement of border security. He stated that Congress would use the preserved records to examine the Biden administration’s role in weakening U.S. border security.

Officials from the Department of Defense explained that U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Texas and California were among the authorized receivers to purchase 60% of the goods. GOVPLANET, an online marketplace for excess government supplies and equipment, was used to sell the remaining 40%. Trump has responded by calling on the Biden administration to stop selling the materials because he intends to use them during his second term.