Trump slams the courts, his court nominee hits back
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Supreme Court Justice nominee, Neil Gorsuch is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington.
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump today slammed the court that is deliberating his immigration and refugee executive order as being “so political,” part of a relentless pounding of the judiciary branch that prompted a rebuke from his nominee for the Supreme Court.
Speaking to a group of police chiefs, Trump said his immigration order was “done for the security of our nation.” He quoted from the portion of the immigration law that he said gave him the power to enact the ban, calling it “beautifully written” and saying “a bad high school student would understand this.”
“Courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do what’s right,” he added. “And that has to do with the security of our country, which is so important.”
Trump’s comments come as the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing the appeal of his executive order on immigration, including a temporary travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries. In a hearing Tuesday, judges on the appeals court challenged the administration’s claim that the ban was motivated by terrorism fears, but also questioned an attorney’s argument that it unconstitutionally targeted Muslims.
Since a lower court judge blocked the order last week, Trump has criticized the decision. He labeled the judge in the case a “so-called judge” and called the ruling “ridiculous.”
Legal experts, Democrats and some Republicans criticized Trump’s remarks as jeopardizing the independence of the judiciary and attempting to use political influence to sway the courts.
Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court joined the criticism Wednesday in a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
Blumenthal said Judge Neil Gorsuch described the president’s comments about the judiciary as “demoralizing and disheartening.”
Gorsuch’s confirmation team confirmed the judge’s comments.
In his speech, Trump sought to link his comments about the court battle over his executive order to the law enforcement community in attendance.
“We have to allow you to do your job,” he said. “And we have to give you the weapons that you need, and this is a weapon that you need and they’re trying to take it away from you.”
The president has repeatedly said people are “pouring in” since the ban was put on hold and suggested that blocking the order would be dangerous for U.S. citizens.
Wednesday morning he tweeted, “Big increase in traffic into our country from certain areas, while our people are far more vulnerable, as we wait for what should be EASY D!”
The administration has not provided any information to support his claims.
Customs and Border Protection, the agency in charge of screening people who arrive at U.S. ports, including airports, has not responded to multiple requests to detail how many visa holders from the seven designated countries have been allowed into the United States since a federal judge temporarily blocked the government from implementing the travel ban.
The State Department previously said fewer than 60,000 visas were provisionally revoked after the order was signed and those people would now be allowed to travel to the U.S. Trump’s order banned travel to the U.S. for people from Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Yemen and Libya. It also suspended the country’s refugee global program.
As of Wednesday afternoon 641 refugees from 13 countries, including five whose citizens were barred from the U.S. under the travel ban, had arrived since a federal judge in Washington ruled against the government.
During his meeting with police leaders, Trump also continued his promises to reduce violence in Chicago, saying that “no one in America should be punished” because of their birthplace. He pledged to provide resources to police departments and promised “zero tolerance” for violence against law enforcement.
Trump also promised to work on combating drug abuse and said there should be resources to deal with a “mental health crisis.”
Hundreds of members of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriff’s Association were in the standing room crowd, some in uniform but the majority in plain clothes.
They snapped photos with their phones as the president spoke, but clapped sparingly when he asked whether they were in agreement with his views on the immigration ban. His comments about combatting drug abuse and the targeting of police officers drew a more unanimous response from the crowd.
16 responses to “Trump slams the courts, his court nominee hits back”
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You may not like his political point of view but Grouch is very well qualified for the Supreme Court and he is demonstrating an independence of thought and opinion that suggest he will be his own man.
agree. What is surprising is the number of conservative and Republicans who are finally wise to what a disaster Trump is for America. They are just beginning to speak up.
I do not believe Bothrops was commenting about his opinion of President Trump. If I read his comment correctly, he was commenting about Judge Gorsuch and his “independence of thought and opinion” which I support. While Judge Gorsuch is disappointed in President’s Trumps comment, there was no mention President Trump being a “disaster”. This kind of reminds me of being disappointed in my son’s behavior and not condoning bad behavior…it will be addressed firmly. However, it does not mean I’ve lost my and support for him. Just saying. 🙂
Mr. Gorsuch, you’re fired…
Yep, say anything Trump doesn’t like and you’re fired! All you Trumpsters are like robots programmed to say “yes” to everything he say.
Sorry, not a Trump supporter. Just poking fun at something he would say. Actually, I agree with what Gorsuch said.
Disagree…won’t happen. It’s good that Judge Gorsuch spoke his mind…that’s what I would expect.
Judge Neil Gorsuch will be the 9th SC Justice and POTUS Trump will still be POTUS.
The Chump must be chasing his tail and snapping at everyone around him. Can’t wait to see his tweets on this subject.
No worry, Kellyanne or Sean will jump in and provide more “alternative facts.” “The administration has not provided information to support his claims.” Why? Cuz NO MORE. Same thing everyday. Watch for something new tomorrow.
Judge Gorsuch, obviously, could not remain silent when Trump spoke and acted as he did about the Judiciary. I’m sure that he is now rethinking his decision to accept the nomination. Trump is probably rethinking his decision to nominate Judge Gorsuch. Trump is unable to gracefully accept any degree of criticism from anyone, ever.
Judge Gorsuch has been nominated by a spectacularly unfit psychotic. That is a stain that someone with his absolutely stellar reputation should not have to bear. I actually fee sorry for him.
Maybe not…while Judge Gorsuch disagreed with President Trumps comments on the Judiciary Branch. Separate and apart from the aforementioned, I await Judge Gorsuch’s comment on the legality of the temporary immigration ban. We will see how this plays out. 🙂
Judge Gorsuch will not comment on a pending case. If he is confirmed and the case is still at the 9th Circuit, we mat find out.
One way or the other, Trump further spotlights his lack of fitness by criticizing the Judiciary. Trump is discovering to his surprise that he is not the King.
Trump is running the risk of turning the entire federal bench against him. That is a very bad thing to do for a President. If he wants to be treated like a legitimate President, he needs to start acting like one.
Can we just stick to Judge Gorsuch. Most of the rhetoric seems to keep going back to demeaning President Trump. I believe it’s time to move on…just saying. 🙂
wn – No, we can’t.
Mr. Trump demeans himself multiple times every day. He doesn’t need my help.
More outrageous lies from trump the buffoon. He will go down in history as the most dishonest president ever.