In a rare move President Donald Trump will veto a bipartisan Congressional resolution that blocks his possibly illegal declaration of a “national emergency” to bypass Congress in order to access funds to build the wall he promised Mexico would pay for.
It is Trump’s first veto, thanks to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has blocked any legislation that did not have Trump’s support from receiving a vote. On Thursday 12 Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution condemning his “emergency.”
But more rare than a presidential veto is that the former reality TV host turned President will veto the resolution on live TV.
And there will be guests.
President Barack Obama vetoed just 12 bills, the same number as President George W. Bush. Previous presidents vetoed many more: FDR 372, Grover Cleveland 302, Truman 180, for example, on the high end.
And yes, at least once, President Obama’s veto was televised:
But there were not guests, it was not a celebration, nor was it a lashing. He did urge Congress, “Let’s do this right,” when vetoing his fifth bill in 2015, just 15 months before the end of his second term.
According to the White House, President Trump is expected to veto the national emergency resolution around 3:30 PM Friday.
And there will be guests.
Among them, according to ABC News’ Meredith McGraw, will be Angel Moms, and Customs and Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers.
Stay tuned.
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