Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was in attendance at the White House on Friday, as President Donald Trump vetoed a congressional resolution that rescinded his national emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

"It was an honor to stand there with the president," Ivey said after the event.

Ivey said he was among about 10 sheriffs from throughout the country at the event, held in the Oval Office. He said he was contacted late Thursday evening by a White House representative, and asked if he could attend the event.

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Ivey said he believes he was asked to attend because of his strong involvement with immigration issues, including supporting efforts to stop illegal immigration at the southern border of the United States.

Ivey said he took a flight Friday morning to Washington for the event, then returned Friday evening. He said the cost of the flight came out of his department budget, as he sees it as being a part of his job of "protecting our citizens."

In addition to law enforcement officials, the president was joined in the Oval Office by members of families of people who have been the victim of crimes committed by immigrants in the country illegally. Ivey said about 25 people joined the president for the veto signing.

"As president, the protection of the nation is my highest duty," Trump said in a video he posted Friday on Twitter from the event. "Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that, if signed into law, would put countless Americans in danger — very grave danger. The Democrat-sponsored resolution would terminate vital border security operations by revoking the national emergency issued last month. It is definitely a national emergency. Rarely have we had such a national emergency. Therefore, to defend the safety and security of all Americans, I will be signing and issuing a formal veto of this reckless resolution."

Trump's veto came a day after a dozen Senate Republicans joined all Democrats in a rebuke of the president's declaration of a national emergency in February to free up more than $6 billion for his long-promised wall along the Southwest border. The vote was 59-41.

Florida's two Republican U.S. senators were split on the issue. Mario Rubio voted in support of the resolution and against the president's position. Rick Scott voted in support of the president and against the resolution.

Ivey said, while he was talking with the president on Friday, he reiterated his support for what Trump is doing for national security. Ivey said he also gave Trump a special flag and badge lapel pin that Ivey has worn on his uniform.

Ivey said the president has made public safety a top priority of his administration.

Ivey describe the veto signing as a historic event, both for its potential positive impact on border security and for being Trump's first veto of his presidency.

In additional comments posted Friday night on the Brevard County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page, Ivey said: "Based upon information provided by the United States Customs and Border Patrol agents and the Department of Homeland Security, there is no question that there is a state of emergency along our southern borders, where many thousands of illegal aliens and drugs are constantly crossing our borders."

Ivey said border security "impacts our entire country, as those who cross our borders illegally filter into our communities, where they impact public safety."

Ivey said local and federal law enforcement officials are joining together "in our concern and efforts to address illegal immigration. The efforts include partnering together to combat illegal immigration, as well as working to define a clear path of citizenship for those who wish to come to our country legally."

Additionally, Ivey said the BCSO "will continue to work closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol, as we work to protect our citizens and the second-busiest passenger cruise terminal in the country," Port Canaveral.

USA Today contributed to this report.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

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