President Trump on Saturday escalated his critique of a temporary nationwide restraining order on his executive order barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S., directing his ire this time at the federal judge in Seattle behind the move.
“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!”, the president declared on Twitter.
In warning that the restraining order will not stand, Trump may be referring to the Justice Department’s intent to announce an emergency stay on the judge’s “outrageous” restraining order, announced by the White House Friday evening. The word “outrageous” was later removed in a followup statement.
“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 continued. “Interesting that certain Middle-Eastern countries agree with the ban. They know if certain people are allowed in it’s death & destruction!”
U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled Friday in favor of a lawsuit by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is taking action on certain provisions in the week-old executive action.
After the restraining order was announced, Trump used his weekly address Friday to defend his national security actions during his first two weeks in the White House, which includes his one-week old executive action that temporarily banned non-U.S. citizens from Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Yemen.
“On every single front, we are working to deliver for American workers and American families. You, the law-abiding citizens of this country, are my total priority. Your safety, your jobs and your wages guide our decisions,” Trump said. “We are here to serve you, the great and loyal citizens of the United States of America.”
