Acting AG: Dept. of Justice won't defend Trump immigration order
Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who has been directing the Justice Department during the transition to President Trump’s administration, said Monday that she will not defend in court the president’s executive order that suspends immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries.
“I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right,” said Yates, a holdover from the Obama administration. “At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful.
“Consequently, for as long as I am the acting attorney general, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defense of the executive order, unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so.”
(Photo: Pete Marovich, Getty Images)