State of Washington is first to sue over President Trump’s travel ban
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and his law suit against Trump
February 9, 2017
On January 30, Washington became the first state to file a lawsuit, led by State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, against United States President Donald Trump’s executive order that banned immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries and all refugees from entering the country.
According to the complaint filed by Ferguson, “The President’s Executive Order of January 27, 2017, is separating Washington families, harming thousands of Washington residents, damaging Washington’s economy, hurting Washington based companies, and undermining Washington’s sovereign interest in remaining a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees.” Aside from the direct harm on Washington State, Ferguson also declares the ban “an unconstitutional and unlawful action.”
Judge James Robart of the United States District Court for Western Washington, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, granted the requested restraining order on the ban. Until a higher court makes a further decision, enforcement of the executive order is temporarily halted across the United States.
President Trump responded to the court situation through a tweet on February 5, 2017. “Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril,” tweeted Trump. “If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!”
Here you can listen to the arguments presented by Noah G. Purcell, the Washington state solicitor general representing the state of Washington, and August E. Flentje, attorney for the United States Justice department representing the Trump administration on February 7, 2017.
On February 9, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously voted to decline reinstatement of the ban. Trump is expected to appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court.
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