*WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump suffered an embarrassing defeatThursday at the hands of US senators, including fellow Republicans, whovoted to terminate his declaration of an emergency on the border withMexico.*

Trump’s response was swift and unequivocal: “VETO!” he tweeted after adozen Republicans joined Democrats in voting down the emergency, declaredas a way to secure alternative funding for the border wall denied to him byCongress.

Opponents had argued that Trump’s emergency amounted to executiveoverreach, saying a vote to curtail his authority would preserve theconstitutionally mandated separation of powers in Washington.

Half a dozen Republicans had already spoken out publicly against theFebruary declaration. But on the morning of the vote, the simmering revoltgrew to 12 Republicans, and the final tally was a resounding 59 to 41.

Trump had made clear he planned to use his veto powers to override anycongressional block, after failing to strong-arm enough Republicans intoline.

“I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolutionwhich would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking inour Country,” he tweeted, following up on his initial one-word response.

“I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Securityand our desperately needed WALL!”

Unless there is a substantial weakening of support for Trump amongcongressional Republicans on the issue, the first veto of his presidency isexpected to stand.

The Senate and House of Representatives would each need a two-thirdsmajority to override a block by the White House, and both parties say thenumbers are not likely there.

“It won’t be overturned and the legal scholars say it’s totallyconstitutional,” Trump told reporters of his emergency. – APP/AFP