Donald Trump has used his first veto as president to block a bill that would have prevented him building a border wall - claiming the country was facing an “invasion” of migrants.

In language designed to resonate with his supporters, the president claimed the bill passed by the House and Senate that would have overturned his declaration of a national emergency at the border, was “reckless”.

“As president the protection of the nation is my highest duty. Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in danger, very grave danger,” he said, seated behind his desk in the Oval Office. “Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it.”

He added: “We’re on track for a million people rushing our borders ... People hate the word invasion, but that’s what it is.”

Earlier this week, 12 Republicans had joined with Democrats to pass a measure 59-41 to rescind the national emergency declared by Mr Trump last month in a move widely seen as a means to circumnavigate a Congress that has rejected his demand for more than $8bn (£6bn) in funding for a border wall.

Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Show all 20 1 /20 Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The prototypes for President Trump’s border wall are being demolished. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The US Customs and Border protection had built the eight 30-foot tall steel and concrete models near San Diego on the US-Mexico border. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the construction challenges presented by the four concrete models would be “extensive” and those presented by two of the other models would be “substantial”. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California It was intended that Mr Trump would choose his favourite of the designs after testing had been completed. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The President is yet to comment. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Each prototype cost $300,000 to $500,000 to build and they are being knocked down in order to make way for the San Diego Secondary Wall project which will see up to 14 miles of barrier being built to support the existing steel border fence. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new barrier will not employ the design of any of the prototypes, instead being built of the favoured steel bollards which make up the current section of the wall at San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new secondary barrier being built near San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The rubble of one of the demolished prototypes. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A digger approaches the prototype wall AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Aerial view of the wall prototypes at the US-Mexico border after they were torn down AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California An aerial view showing Tijuana, Mexico on the left and the demolished wall prototypes on the right AFP/Getty

The House of Representatives has already passed the bill, and the president had indicted straight away he would make use of his veto powers for the time to block the measure. “VETO,”, he said on Twitter.

Flanked by vice president Mike Pence, attorney general William Barr and Kirstjen Nielsen, the homeland security secretary, the president claimed the bill he had been to sign into law was dangerous.

The president found himself facing considerable bipartisan criticism for last month’s declaration. Democrats said Mr Trump was lying for political gain when he claimed the situation at the border amounted to a national emergency.

House of Representatives votes to block Trump's emergency declaration

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, resented what they considered presidential overreach and his attempt to take control of powers traditionally held by Congress to fund the government. Democrats responded to Mr Trump’s move by announcing they would now try to overturn his veto.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House of Representatives would take up a resolution on March 25 seeking to override his actions.

“On March 26, the House will once again act to protect our constitution and our democracy from the president’s emergency declaration by holding a vote to override his veto,” she said.

While Mr Trump suffered several defeats on Capitol Hill this week, it is unclear whether Democrats can gather up the two-thirds majority required in both chambers of Congress to overturn the veto.

Reuters said the president expressed pride in the Republicans who did not vote to support the resolution and said later he had sympathy for those who defied him, adding they did what they had to do. The White House had lobbied heavily for Republicans to back Mr Trump,

Before the signing ceremony, Mr Trump had thanked those who supported him, but also raised a veiled threat against those who did not.