President Trump has fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she ordered the Justice Department to not defend the Executive order banning refugee. The White House stated in a formal press release that Yates was fired for “refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States.” The White House went on to say that “(Yates) has betrayed the Department of Justice.”
This bold rhetoric stems from the President’s evident disapproval of the protest that happened all over the nation due to his Muslim Ban. Sally Yates felt that it was her responsibility to respond to this unconstitutional ban by encouraging Judicial Department lawyers to not defend Trump’s ban.
“My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts…In addition, I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s sole obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right,” she stated.
Yates was appointed by Obama, however, it is clear by Yate’s statement that her actions were not politically motivated but were motivated by her moral conscience. She, like many other Americans, believes that the Judicial system or any other institution is not the place for discriminatory policies to be enforced. Yates believed that Trump issued his Executive Order in a hasty manner with very little consideration from his administration. Not only was it unfair to try to make Yates enforce this impromptu order, but it is unfair to the millions of lives this order affects.
Trump’s decision to spontaneously fire someone not because she was insubordinate but because she was doing her job, will only make other people in his administration to speak out against him because of fear they will lose their job (cue Sean Spicer). Sally Yates should be commended and is the type of politician we need in Washington D.C.- someone who will hold Trump accountable and truly understands that she serves at the will of the people. Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virgina, has been named as the acting attorney General. Boente stated, “I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed”
Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virgina, has been named the acting Attorney General. Boente stated, “I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed.”
