On Friday, January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.
Among other things, it “banned”, or “paused”, or “extremely vetted” — take your pick — visas of nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen).
Almost immediately, four federal courts blocked portions of it: U.S. District Courts in New York and Virginia on Saturday followed by U.S. District Courts in Massachusetts and Oregon on Sunday. (Four federal judges issue orders blocking parts of Trump’s executive order on immigration).
So just to be clear, that’s the judicial branch of the United States — the one that provides the checks and balances on the other two branches — performing its duties. And to be even clearer, our nations ongoing experiment with democracy doesn’t work if the executive and legislative branches, along with the rest of us, don’t agree to abide by its rulings.
The Trump administration’s response? Screw ‘um. (Hidden Danger Of Trump Immigration Orders: Dismissal Of Court Orders).
To me, this is far and away the most significant issue that has emerged with the executive order. We can debate its merits all we want but when the judiciary steps in, we must all accept it even if we don’t like it.
The press seems to have moved on for now with the latest of Trump’s buffoonery. I hope there is a lot of digging into this that will emerge very soon.
In the meantime, have a look at this video. Fascist Trump Doesn’t Care What The Courts Say. At around the 7:31 mark, you will see this from Fordham law professor Abner Greene:
“Obedience to specific court orders is what keeps us from being a banana republic or fascist dictatorship. That’s a really big deal.” (emphasis added)
Usually, I’m not one for hyperbole, there’s way too much hysteria when it comes to Trump, but this is far too important so let me repeat it:
“Obedience to specific court orders is what keeps us from being a banana republic or fascist dictatorship.”
That’s a really big deal.
Enough said for now.
