Trump attacks federal courts as ‘so political,’ defends travel ban

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at federal judges, calling them “so political” as an appeals court mulls whether to reinstate his controversial travel ban on refugees and nationals from seven mainly Muslim nations.
“I think our security is at risk today,” Trump told a meeting of sheriffs from around the nation, as he defended his executive order, which was blocked nationwide by the federal courts a week after it went into effect.
Defending his ban order as necessary for the nation’s security, Trump said: “I don’t ever want to call a court biased, so I won’t call it biased.”
“And we haven’t had a decision yet. But courts seem to be so political, and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read the statement and do what’s right. And that has to do with the security of our country.”
Critics of the ban claim it violates the constitution by discriminating against people on the basis of their religion.
The judges — two of whom were appointed by Democratic presidents, and a third by a Republican — appeared skeptical of the government’s case.
“Has the government pointed to any evidence connecting these countries with terrorism?” asked Judge Michelle Friedland, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
Flentje said the government had not had an opportunity to present such evidence, given the speed at which the case had moved.
The court must decide whether to maintain the lower court’s suspension, modify it or lift it. Its ruling was expected before the end of the week.
Trump is tweeting that if he loses the pending court case over his travel ban, the country “can never have the security and safety to which we are entitled.”
The president tweeted early Wednesday, “If the US does not win this case as it so obviously should, we can never have the security and safety to which we are entitled. Politics!”