Responding to defiance with determination, President Donald Trump fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates Monday night after Yates publicly announced her refusal to defend Trump’s executive order on immigration in court.
Trump announced that Yates, an Obama administration holdover, was fired in a statement posted on Facebook.
“The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States. This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel,” Trump wrote.
“Ms. Yates is an Obama Administration appointee who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration,” the statement said.
“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,” the statement added.
Two hours after the dismissal of Yates, Trump also fired Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Daniel Ragsdale and has appointed Thomas Homan as his replacement.
Federal prosecutor Dana Boente was named to replace Yates.
“I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed. I will defend and enforce the laws of our country to ensure that our people and our nation are protected,” said Boente.
Boente was sworn in at about 9 p.m. ET. Yates received a hand-delivered letter from the White House telling her of her dismissal at about 9:15 p.m. Trump announced the move around 10 p.m.
On Monday, Yates wrote a letter outlining her reasons for telling Justice Department employees not to defend Trump’s executive order imposing a temporary ban on visas to residents of seven countries and a temporary ban on refugee admissions.
Yates said she was not “convinced that the Executive Order is lawful.”
She also claimed her stance was in accord with the Justice Department’s “solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.”
Trump’s ban provoked widespread controversy after its uneven implementation left immigration and customs officers on the ground unsure of the order’s details in the first days after the order was signed on Friday.
Boente will oversee the Justice Department until the Senate confirms Trump’s nominee to serve as attorney general. Trump’s nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is expected to be voted upon within the coming days. Trump has complained that Democrats are unfairly delaying his nominees.
Stepping back from the debate over the details and implementation of Trump’s order, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich noted the larger issue at play.
“You now have a president who really takes seriously the tremendous threat of international terrorism and is prepared to take steps that are very tough-minded and that are going to inconvenience some people,” Gingrich said during an appearance on Fox News’ Hannity.
(via: Conservative Fighters)
