Trump says he does not believe white nationalism is rising after signing first veto
Follow the latest updates
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
Donald Trump signed the first veto of his presidency after the Senate‘s decision to vote 59-41 in favour of a resolution expressing disapproval at his national emergency declaration over the illegal immigration “crisis” at the southern border.
In a major embarrassment for the president, 12 Republicans voted against his invocation of emergency powers to get his signature US-Mexico border wall built, bringing the resolution to his desk and forcing him to exercise his powers of office to block it. Mr Trump then claimed there was an “invasion” at the border and vetoed the resolution.
Despite the veto, the president’s emergency declaration still faces numerous legal challenges, with cases arguing it was unconstitutional.
American Civil Liberties Union, which filed one of the cases, said the veto was meaningless. “Congress has rejected the president’s declaration, and now the courts will be the ultimate arbiter of its legality,” said executive director Anthony Romero. “We look forward to seeing him in court and to the shellacking that he will receive at the hands of an independent judiciary.”
Meanwhile, top officials from Donald Trump’s administration failed to describe the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, as acts of terror, including his vice president, White House press secretary, ambassador to New Zealand and more.
When asked during the Oval Office address whether he saw an increase in white nationalism, Mr Trump said: “I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people.”
He also said he had not seen a manifesto in which the suspected gunman denounced immigrants and praised Mr Trump as “a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose”.
At least 49 people were killed with dozens more seriously injured after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. The suspected attacker, Brenton Tarrant, live-streamed the attack and outlined his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto posted online.
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
“Today I am vetoing this resolution. Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution and I have the duty to veto it,” Mr Trump said in the Oval Office. “We’re on track for a million people rushing our borders….People hate the word invasion but that’s what it is.”
The similarities between Donald Trump's statements on the US-Mexico border from today and an 87-page manifesto released by the alleged shooter in the terrorist attacks on two mosques in New Zealand are disturbing and uncanny.
Trump has said he does not see a rise in white nationalism but it may be an issue in New Zealand. When asked by a reporter if he sees an increase in white nationalism, Trump said: "I don't really. I think it's a small group of people."
Trump also said he had not seen a manifesto in which the suspected gunman denounced immigrants and praised Trump as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose."
You can follow our live coverage of the New Zealand attack here:
The American Civil Liberties Union has responded to Trump's first veto signing, saying it is meaningless. Anthony Romero, the ACLU's executive director, says the courts will be the ultimate arbiter of the declaration's legality.
As well as saying he does not think white nationalism is on the rise, and that it is "a small group of people", Donald Trump is yet to refer to the recent violence in New Zealand as a terror attack.
His most recent tweets on the subject said: "Just spoke with Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, regarding the horrific events that have taken place over the past 24 hours. I informed the Prime Minister....
"....that we stand in solidarity with New Zealand -- and that any assistance the U.S.A. can give, we stand by ready to help. We love you New Zealand!"
Here's Trump speaking in the Oval Office after signing the veto.
Credit: EPA
Trump has just tweeted again, but on a different subject. The president posted a message about the "severe weather" hitting parts of the US at the moment.
That's all for our live coverage of the White House today. Thanks for following along.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies