U. S. President Donald Trump fumed on Wednesday over what he called too much politics in the U. S. judiciary, while a…
WASHINGTON —
U. S. President Donald Trump fumed on Wednesday over what he called too much politics in the U. S. judiciary, while a federal appeals court kept him and the rest of the country waiting for its ruling on a temporary suspension of his travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard arguments on Tuesday on the Trump administration’s challenge to a lower court ruling putting the temporary travel ban on hold. The appeals court said it would rule as soon as possible but not on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Trump accused U. S. District Judge James Robart, the Seattle judge who suspended Trump’s order last week, of opening the United States to “potential terrorists.” Trump, who argues his Jan. 27 executive order is aimed at heading off attacks by Islamist militants, has repeatedly vented his frustration over the halt since then.
“I don’t ever want to call a court biased,” Trump told hundreds of police chiefs and sheriffs from major cities at a meeting in a Washington hotel on Wednesday. “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.”
Trump was also dismissive of Tuesday’s court hearing.
“I was a good student. I understand things. I comprehend very well. OK? Better than, I think, almost anybody. And I want to tell you, I listened to a bunch of stuff last night on television that was disgraceful,” Trump said, referring to the appeals court proceedings.
The appeals court must decide whether Trump acted within his authority or violated the U. S. Constitution’s prohibition on laws favoring one religion over another, as well as anti-discrimination laws, and whether it was tantamount to a discriminatory ban targeting Muslims.
