Federal Judge Halts President Trump’s Travel ban | White House says Justice Dept will Challenge the Decision

President Donald Trump

James Robart, a Federal Judge in Seattle issued a nationwide temporary restraining order that stops President Donald Trump‘s travel ban.

The ruling came at a hearing on Friday (February 3) during which Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson went up against federal lawyers after filing an amended complaint to stop the order.

“The Constitution prevailed today. No one is above the law — not even the president,” the Attorney General said on Friday.

The White House Press Office sent out a response to Judge Robart’s action, saying that the Justice Department will challenge the halt.

The statement read:

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. The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people.

As the law states, “Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non immigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

Following the halt, CNN reported that Customs and Border Protection officials have told U.S. airlines that the agency is reinstating visas.