Trump Fires U.S. Attorney General For Defying Immigration Ban
Donald Trump, U.S. 45th President[/caption]
President Donald Trump has fired the US Attorney General Sally Yates after she ordered the Justice Department not to enforce the executive order banning entry into the country from seven Muslim countries.
The White House said on Monday that Mrs. Yates, who was appointed by former President, Barack Obama had “betrayed” the department by refusing to enforce a legal order that was “designed to protect the citizens of the United States”.
Trump named Dana Boente, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to replace Yates, until his nominee for the post, Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate.
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Sessions is being held back in the Senate, with Trump blaming the Democrats for delaying his confirmation.
The Democrats are delaying my cabinet picks for purely political reasons. They have nothing going but to obstruct. Now have an Obama A.G.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2017
After his swearing in last night, Boente confirmed to The Washington Post that he will agree to enforce the immigration order.
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A statement from the White House press secretary’s office said: “Ms Yates is an Obama administration appointee who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration.
“It is time to get serious about protecting our country. Calling for tougher vetting for individuals travelling from seven dangerous places is not extreme. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country.”
Trump’s executive order, signed Friday, bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days, suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely suspends the Syrian refugee program.
“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.
“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,” Yates wrote in a letter to justice department lawyers, which led to her sack.
