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'So-called judge': Donald Trump attacks decision to halt travel ban Donald Trump attacks 'so-called judge' over decision to halt travel ban
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump on Saturday used Twitter to insult and threaten to overturn a “so-called” federal judge in Seattle who temporarily halted his travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries and the suspension of refugee admission. Donald Trump has insulted and threatened to overturn the ruling of a “so-called” federal judge in Seattle who temporarily halted his travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries and the suspension of refugee admission.
In a series of tweets early on the morning after the Seattle ruling, the president wrote: “The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” In a series of tweets early in the morning after Friday’s ruling by the Seattle judge James Robart, the president wrote: “The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!”
The president, who for the first time was spending the weekend away from the White House, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, wrote with characteristic typographical errors: “When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security – big trouble!” Trump, who for the first time as president was spending the weekend away from the White House, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, wrote with characteristic typographical errors: “When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security – big trouble!”
He added: “Interesting that certain Middle-Eastern countries agree with the ban. They know if certain people are allowed in it’s death & destruction!”He added: “Interesting that certain Middle-Eastern countries agree with the ban. They know if certain people are allowed in it’s death & destruction!”
Trump again used the word “ban” to describe his order. White House aides this week contested the use of the term.Trump again used the word “ban” to describe his order. White House aides this week contested the use of the term.
Signed last week, the executive order suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days and from Syria indefinitely, and placed time-limited holds on the admission of travellers from seven countries – Iraq, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia – which are mostly Muslim.Signed last week, the executive order suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days and from Syria indefinitely, and placed time-limited holds on the admission of travellers from seven countries – Iraq, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia – which are mostly Muslim.
The order also provided for preference to people from religious minorities in those countries, while Trump said in an interview he would give Christians priority as refugees. The order also provided for preference to people from religious minorities in those countries, and Trump said in an interview he would give Christians priority as refugees.
Law suits were mounted by the American Civil Liberties Union and other parties around the question of whether the ban was unconstitutional as an infringement of religious freedom. A succession of rulings against the government followed. Lawsuits were mounted by the American Civil Liberties Union and other parties around the question of whether the ban was unconstitutional as an infringement of religious freedom. A succession of rulings against the government followed.
Airport authorities nonetheless continued to hold or bar travellers from the affected countries last weekend, leading to charges that the Trump White House was seeking to disregard court rulings. Such charges may be repeated in light of Trump’s promise to “overturn” the opinion of the Seattle judge, James Robart. Airport authorities nonetheless continued to hold or bar travellers from the affected countries last weekend, leading to charges that the Trump White House was seeking to disregard court rulings. Such charges may be repeated in light of Trump’s promise to “overturn” Robart’s opinion.
Robart granted a temporary restraining order after hearing arguments from Washington state and Minnesota that the president’s order unlawfully discriminated against Muslims and caused unreasonable harm. Robart, who was appointed by George W Bush, granted a temporary restraining order after hearing arguments from Washington state and Minnesota that the president’s order unlawfully discriminated against Muslims and caused unreasonable harm.
The White House said it would appeal against the order, which it first called “outrageous” before issuing an “updated” statement which did not feature that word.The White House said it would appeal against the order, which it first called “outrageous” before issuing an “updated” statement which did not feature that word.
In a statement, press secretary Sean Spicer said the Trump administration believed the executive order was “lawful and appropriate”. In a statement, the press secretary Sean Spicer said the Trump administration believed the executive order was “lawful and appropriate”.
“The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people,” Spicer said.“The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people,” Spicer said.
Nonetheless, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) informed US airlines on Friday night that they should allow travellers from the affected countries with valid visas who had been barred under the order to board flights to the US.Nonetheless, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) informed US airlines on Friday night that they should allow travellers from the affected countries with valid visas who had been barred under the order to board flights to the US.
The order has caused logistical and political chaos, with the roles in its writing and roll-out of senior Trump aide Steve Bannon and policy chief Stephen Miller under intense scrutiny. Trump’s Republican party has backed the order, though some senior figures have opposed it or criticised its implementation. The order has caused logistical and political chaos, and the roles Trump’s senior aide Steve Bannon and policy chief Stephen Miller in its writing and rollout have been under intense scrutiny. Trump’s Republican party has backed the order, though some senior figures have opposed it or criticised its implementation.
Reaction worldwide has been almost unanimously critical.Reaction worldwide has been almost unanimously critical.
On Friday a justice department official said 100,000 visas had been revoked under the ban. State department figures put the number at 60,000. Asked about the discrepancy, Spicer said: “I’ll have to get back to you on that. I don’t have all the details right now.”On Friday a justice department official said 100,000 visas had been revoked under the ban. State department figures put the number at 60,000. Asked about the discrepancy, Spicer said: “I’ll have to get back to you on that. I don’t have all the details right now.”
Earlier on Friday, a federal judge in Massachusetts declined to extend a temporary stay against the order issued last week, after expressing scepticism about arguments that the ban represented religious discrimination.Earlier on Friday, a federal judge in Massachusetts declined to extend a temporary stay against the order issued last week, after expressing scepticism about arguments that the ban represented religious discrimination.
But in Seattle, the attorney general of Washington state, Bob Ferguson, told reporters outside the courtroom: “We are a nation of laws. Not even the president can violate the constitution. No one is above the law, not even the president.But in Seattle, the attorney general of Washington state, Bob Ferguson, told reporters outside the courtroom: “We are a nation of laws. Not even the president can violate the constitution. No one is above the law, not even the president.
“This decision shuts down the executive order immediately, shuts it down. That relief is immediate, happens right now. That’s the bottom line.” “This decision shuts down the executive order immediately – shuts it down. That relief is immediate, happens right now. That’s the bottom line.”