US Justice Dept. fires back with appeal on judge’s ruling against travel ban

The United States Justice Department filed a notice on Saturday evening that it will formally appeal a federal judge’s ruling halting President Trump’s immigration order. It reads:

“At the earliest possible time, the Department of Justice intends to file an emergency stay of this order and defend the executive order of the President, which we believe is lawful and appropriate.”

Justice Department Attorney Michelle Bennett’s filing was made in response to a temporary 90-day nationwide restraining order issued Friday that halted Trump’s executive order banning citizens from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia from entering the United States. The ban also temporarily halted the US refugee resettlement program for 120 days, while indefinitely suspending resettlement for refugees from Syria.

Trump referred to Judge James Robart, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush in 2003, a “so-called judge,” and sent out the following tweets:

“What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with bad intentions, can come into U.S.?

“Because the ban was lifted by a judge, many very bad and dangerous people may be pouring into our country. A terrible decision.”

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Friday praised Judge Robart’s decision stating that “No one is above the law — not even the President. It’s our president’s duty to honor this ruling and I’ll make sure he does.

The case now goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Ferguson told CNN that he “expected win, lose or draw” that the case would move “fairly quickly through, up to the Ninth Circuit” Court of Appeals — “just because of the magnitude of the executive order,” adding, “I’m prepared for this case to go all the way to the Supreme Court whichever way the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals goes.”

Airports started allowing residents to enter the United States on Saturday, and the Department of Homeland Security reversed the revocation of 60,000 visas all in response to the judge’s ruling.