President Trump has vetoed congress' decision to end his national emergency
Trump overturns congress' decision to stop him building his wall, in the first veto of his presidency
Friday 15 March 2019 22:29, UK
Donald Trump has overturned congress' decision to stop him building his border wall with Mexico, in the first veto of his presidency.
The president declared a national emergency last month, in a move to secure around $5.7bn (£4.3bn) in funding for a border wall with Mexico, after a lengthy government shutdown over the issue.
12 Republicans voted with the Democrats on Thursday evening to back a resolution that disapproved of Mr Trump's emergency declaration.
Speaking at the signing of the veto in the west wing of the White House, Mr Trump said that congress' decision to overturn the national emergency was "dangerous" and "reckless".
He also reaffirmed his position to the border wall and said "it is a tremendous national emergency... our immigration system is stretched beyond the breaking point".
"Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution... I have the duty to veto it."
The president tweeted on Thursday evening after congress voted against his national emergency, saying he looked forward to issuing a veto on the move.
By calling a national emergency, Mr Trump wants to divert billions of dollars to build the border wall from the defence budget.
The national emergency is still facing several legal challenges in federal courts.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that another counter-vote, will be held on the 26 March.
She also called the veto a "lawless power grab".
In a statement she said: "On March 26, the House will once again act to protect our Constitution and our democracy from the president's emergency declaration by holding a vote to override his veto."
That vote will need a two-thirds majority in congress - something which is thought to be unlikely to happen, given Mr Trump's support in the house.