Noem orders border wall to be painted black to make it hotter, harder to climb
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the entire southern border wall will be painted black. President Donald Trump specifically requested this change.
In a press conference in New Mexico, Noem said the dark color will absorb heat, making the wall hotter and more difficult to climb and also extending the steel’s lifespan.
She noted the difficulty of getting around the wall as it is, but she said the black will make it even tougher.
“If you look at the structure that’s behind me, it’s tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb. Almost impossible. And it’s very deep, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to dig under,” Noem said. “We are also going to be painting it black. That is specifically at the request of the president, who understands that with the hot temperatures down here, with something painted black, it gets even warmer. And it will make it even harder for people to climb.”
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ funding
Noem credited Congress’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” for funding the barrier’s completion. She said it provided “an incredible amount of resources” that she claims will “allow us to continue construction” of the wall.
During the press conference, Noem said crews are building nearly half a mile of new wall each day. Funding from the bill will also go toward new technology, including cameras, sensors and waterborne infrastructure along the wall.
Noem said these changes will ensure the border “will be secure far into the future and that will be efficient as well.”
Recent numbers
With recent developments and construction on the wall, Border Patrol agents have reported that apprehensions have fallen to the lowest levels in decades.
Trump went on Truth Social on Tuesday, proclaiming there were zero illegal entries in July.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
