Why Donald Trump is set to declare a national emergency to build his wall – and what will happen next

Donald Trump is poised to declare a national emergency in an attempt to fund his US-Mexico border wall without congressional approval.

The White House said the US president would sign a spending bill that would avert a government shutdown, but which only provides $1.375 billion for border barriers or fencing – far from the $5.7 billion Mr Trump wants.

"President Trump will sign the government funding bill, and as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action – including a national emergency," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

The prospect of Mr Trump declaring a state of emergency to build his border wall had appeared more likely after he backed down in the shutdown…