Donald Trump issues first veto on bill to end his emergency declaration on border wall

President Donald Trump issued first veto of his presidency, overruling Congress to protect his emergency declaration for border wall funding.

Flanked by law enforcement officials as well as parents of children killed by people in country illegally, Trump maintained Friday that he is t through fighting for his signature campaign promise, which stands largely unfulfilled 18 months before voters decide wher to grant him ar term.

"Congress has freedom to pass this resolution," Trump said, "and I have duty to veto it."

A dozen defecting Republicans joined Senate Democrats in approving joint resolution on Thursday, which capped a week of confrontation with  White House as both parties in Congress strained to exert ir power in new ways.

It is unlikely that Congress will have two-thirds majority required to override Trump's veto, though House Democrats have suggested y would try neless. Trump wants to use emergency order to divert billions of federal dollars earmarked for defence spending toward sourn border wall.

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It still faces several legal challenges from Democratic state attorneys general and environmental groups who argue emergency declaration was unconstitutional.

Those cases could block Trump from diverting extra money to barrier construction for months or longer. American Civil Liberties Union, which filed one of cases, said veto is meaningless, like declaration in first place.

"Congress has rejected president's declaration, and w courts will be  ultimate arbiter of its legality. We look forward to seeing him in court and to shellacking that he will receive at hands of an independent judiciary," said Executive Director Anthony Romero.

Trump maintained that situation on sourn border is "a tremendous national emergency," ding, "our immigration system is stretched beyond breaking point."

Two years into Trump era, a dozen Republicans, pushed along by Democrats, showed a willingness to take political risk of defecting.

12 GOP senators, including party's 2012 presidential minee, Mitt Romney of Utah, joined dissent over emergency declaration order that would enable  president to seize for wall billions of dollars Congress intended to be spent elsewhere.

" Senate's waking up a little bit to our responsibilities," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who said chamber h become "a little lazy" as an equal branch of government.

"I think value of se last few weeks is to remind  Senate of our constitutional place." 

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Many lawmakers said vote was t necessarily a rejection of  president or wall, but protections against future presidents namely a Democrat who might want to declare an emergency on climate change, gun control or any number of or issues.

Thursday's vote was first direct challenge to 1976 National Emergencies Act, just as a Wednesday vote on Yemen was first time Congress invoked deces-old War Powers Act to try to rein in a president.

That resolution seeking to end US backing for Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting in Yemen was approved in aftermath of killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in  Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and is expected to be subject of Trump's second veto.

Despite embarrassing defections, Trump's grip on party remains strong and  White House me it clear that Republicans resisting Trump could face political consequences.

Ahe of voting, Trump framed issue as with-him-or-against-him on border security, a powerful argument with many.

But Friday, Trump said he h sympathy for Republicans who voted against him and emphasized that he never truly twisted arms of lawmakers, because he knew re were t eugh votes to override veto.

"Look, y were doing what y have to do," Trump said, insisting he "put pressure" on lawmakers to vote against resolution.

Still, a White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who opposed him want him to attend fundraisers or provide or help.  official was t authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations so spoke on condition of anymity.

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