Democrats walk tightrope in fight over Trump wall funds

Democrats face politically fraught options in opposing President Trump’s move to divert $3.6 billion in military funds to build 175 miles of his border wall.

The legislative responses available to Democrats are few, given that the courts have largely ruled in the administration’s favor when it comes emergency powers and the transfer of Pentagon funds. Pressing the issue runs the risk of derailing government funding legislation that Congress needs to pass by Oct. 1 to avert another shutdown.

While Democrats have vowed not to backfill accounts for the 127 military...