A federal judge in Hawaii on Wednesday issued a nationwide halt to President Trump's temporary travel ban targeting six majority-Muslim countries. It was a stinging rebuke of Trump's second attempt to institute the controversial order just hours before it was to take effect.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson wrote in his ruling that the federal government had not proved the ban was needed to protect the U.S. from terrorists trying to infiltrate the country through legal immigration or the refugee program. He wrote that despite changes made by the White House to the new ban, it clearly violated constitutional protections of religion based on comments made by Trump throughout his presidential campaign.

"A review of the historical background here makes plain why the Government wishes to focus on the Executive Order’s text, rather than its context," Watson wrote. "The record before this Court is unique. It includes significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus driving the promulgation of the Executive Order and its related predecessor."

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.”

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(Photo: Pete Marovich, Getty Images) 

Outrage over Trump's immigrant ban helps ACLU raise more money online in one day than in all of 2016

The American Civil Liberties Union shattered fundraising records this weekend after taking the White House to court over President Trump's executive order banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

The ACLU said it has received roughly 290,000 online donations totaling $19.4 million since Saturday morning. The non-profit organization that aims to protect individuals' rights and liberties guaranteed in the Constitution typically raises about $4 million online in a year, according to Executive Director Anthony Romero.

"It's really clear that this is a different type of moment," Romero said. "People want to know what they can do. They want to be deployed as protagonists in this fight. It's not a spectator sport."

(Photo: AP; Getty Images) 

Protests against Trump's immigration plan rolling in more than 30 cities

Protesters marched, chanted and waved signs across the nation Sunday as angry immigrant advocates pressed their demand for an end to President Trump's executive order barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

Rallies underway in Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and other cities Sunday drew thousands, part of a groundswell of fury that erupted at airports across the nation Saturday and showed no signs of abating.

"There is such an energy and anger that I have to do something about it," said Jan Rudzinski, of Arden, Del., as she joined a rally in Philadelphia where signs said "Welcome Muslims" and "Let them in."

In Washington, thousands gathered and marched outside the White House. In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio joined a rally "for our city's values" at Battery Park, where Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, called the ban "mean-spirited." Schumer said Trump's order only served to "embolden and inspire" terrorists around the world.