The Pentagon has approved a plan to move $1.5 billion in budget money to put toward building President Trump’s border wall.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan approved the plan to re-allocate the funds earmarked for the Afghan security forces.

According to Fox News:

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“Today, I authorized the transfer of $1.5 billion toward the construction of more than 80 miles of border barrier,” he said. “The funds were drawn from a variety of sources, including cost savings, programmatic changes, and revised requirements, and therefore will have minimal impact on force readiness.”

Shanahan approved the first transfer of funds from the budget to wall construction when one billion dollars was transferred in March.

“The combined total of $2.5 billion is in response to President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the border,” Fox reported.

Fox added:

Shanahan, who has said he plans to visit the border on Saturday, said that the Pentagon is “fully engaged” in fixing the border crisis. He said that more than 4,000 troops and 19 aircraft are supporting Customs and Border Protection personnel.

Naturally the Democrats were against the plan and the coming appointment of Shanahan to become the next Secretary of Defense.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders praised the move saying, “Acting Secretary Shanahan has proven over the last several months that he is beyond qualified to lead the Department of Defense, and he will continue to do so.”

Shanahan said he was “honored” by Trump’s decision.

“If confirmed by the Senate, I will continue the aggressive implementation of our National Defense Strategy,” he said. “I remain committed to modernizing the force so our remarkable Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have everything they need to keep our military lethal and our country safe.”

He’s on the right track so far, anyway.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.