The White House criticized a federal judge Tuesday night for blocking President Trump’s attempt to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
“Today, the rule of law suffered another blow, as an unelected judge unilaterally rewrote immigration policy for our Nation,” the White House Office of the Press Secretary said in a statement issued late Tuesday.
“This case is yet one more example of egregious overreach by a single, unelected district judge. Today’s ruling undermines faith in our legal system and raises serious questions about circuit shopping. But we are confident we will ultimately prevail in the Supreme Court, just as we will prevail in our lawful efforts to impose immigration restrictions necessary to keep terrorists out of the United States,” the statement said.
Keeping with Trump’s “America first” focus, the White House said sanctuary cities are “putting the well-being of criminal aliens before the safety of our citizens.”
Earlier Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued a preliminary injunction in separate lawsuits from San Francisco and Santa Clara County in California, barring the January executive order from being implemented.
The Trump administration sought to punish cities and counties whose police departments do not honor federal immigration officers detainer requests. By withholding funding, Trump hoped to stop sanctuary districts from protecting illegal aliens from deportation.
Orrick ruled the White House does not have the authority to attach new conditions to federal spending.
This is the third time the Trump administration has been dealt a blow by the court system regarding an executive order on immigration.
The Justice Department is now considering all legal responses, including appealing the decision.
This story was corrected to note the decision was made by a federal judge who does not sit on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
