Texas Republican Congressman Says Trump's Border Wall 'Impossible' To Build

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Reviews over Donald Trump's envisioned border wall fronting Mexico are trickling in, and they're decidedly mixed — even among those from his own party.

Texas U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, issued a statement on Wednesday following Trump's official order meant to jump start construction of a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico — a campaign pledge that resonated powerfully with his base. Spoiler alert: He's not in favor of it.

When not around the hallowed halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., and far from the rarefied corridors of Manhattan where Trump built his brick-and-mortar real estate empire, Hurd is intimately familiar with the landscape targeted for border wall construction. The congressman represents the 23rd District of Texas which contains 800 miles of border. At ground level representing his constituents, Hurd is able to envision the wall with less abstraction given his familiarity with the topography, he suggested in a prepared statement.

His verdict: The built-up narrative leading up to Trump's order on Wednesday to get the wall built would be impossible in practice.

"The facts have not changed," Hurd said. "Building a wall is the most expensive and least effective way to secure the border. Each section of the border faces unique geographical, cultural and technological challenges that would be best addressed with a flexible, sector-by-sector approach that empowers the agents on the ground with the resources they need."

Besides, the unforgiving border terrain won't allow for such construction, he added. As such, building a wall is an "impossible" dream.

"A wall may be an effective tool in densely populated areas, but a variety of tools are needed between Brownsville, Texas and San Diego, California," Hurd said. "The 23rd District of Texas, which I represent has over 800 miles of the border, more than any other Member and it is impossible to build a physical wall in much of its terrain."

Then there's the issue of aesthetics. His district also contains one of the prettiest vistas in Texas, the Big Bend National Park. A wall abutting the natural treasure would surely spoil the view, he inferred.

"Big Bend National Park and many areas in my district are perfect examples of where a wall is unnecessary and would negatively impact the environment, private property rights and economy," he said.

By statement's end, Hurd gives the idea for a wall a thumbs down, while stressing the need for added border patrol enforcement: "There is no question that we must secure our border, but we need an intelligence-led approach in order to effectively combat the 19 criminal organizations currently operating in Mexico," Hurd said.

>>> Photo via U.S. House of Representatives