Acting Attorney General Won't Defend Trump's Refugee Ban
Obama holdover Sally Yates orders Justice Department lawyers to avoid it
By John Johnson, Newser Staff
newser.com
(NEWSER) – The Obama holdover temporarily running the Justice Department just issued an act of defiance toward President Trump: Acting attorney general Sally Yates said Monday that the department will not defend Trump's refugee executive order in court while she's in charge, reports AP. The move by Yates is largely symbolic, however, notes the New York Times, given that nominee Jeff Sessions is expected to assume the office of attorney general in a matter of days, perhaps even Tuesday. Yates' order will be in force only until she leaves office, and Trump has the authority to fire her.
“I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right,” Yates wrote in a memo to Justice Department lawyers. “At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful.” The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote Tuesday on Sessions, reports the Washington Post. In the meantime, court challenges to Trump's ban have been filed in at least five states, notes CNN: Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and California. |
