Acting Head Of DOJ, Obama Holdover, Will Not Defend Immigration Ban In Court
Sally Yates, acting head of the DOJ and a holdover from the Obama administration is making her stand. She has ordered the DOJ not to defend the Trump/Bannon immigration ban in court. Of course, as soon as Sessions is confirmed that order will be reversed and Sally Yates will be told to leave the building. But at least Yates is standing up for her principals and daring Trump/Bannon to fire her. If Democrats can drag out Sessions’ vote long enough, Trump/Bannon may just go ahead and do that because, for them, any opposition must be crushed. And Yates would just become the latest victim of the Trump/Bannon autocracy.
Update: Not surprisingly, Trump took the bait and fired Yates immediately. Here is the White House statement:
“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.
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.
Tonight, President Trump relieved Ms. Yates of her duties and subsequently named Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as Acting Attorney General until Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate, where he is being wrongly held up by Democrat senators for strictly political reasons.
‘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 Dana Boente, Acting Attorney General.”
Just another step on the road to autocracy…Will the GOP ever stand up to Trump/Bannon?