Donald Trump Attacks Judge James Robart After Immigration Ban Setback

President Donald Trump has attacked Judge James Robart, who blocked his travel ban, saying Americans should blame the courts “if something happens”.

He also said he had instructed border officials to check people entering America “very carefully”.

The federal appeals court on February 4 rejected the Trump administration’s request to reinstate the ban.

The travel ban, affecting people from seven mainly-Muslim countries, was blocked by Seattle’s federal judge on February 3.

This means that President Trump’s directive will remain suspended and visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will be allowed to enter the US until the full case has been heard.

The White House and two states challenging the ban have been given a deadline of February 6 to present more arguments.

On February 5, President Trump ramped up his criticism of Judge James Robart, who blocked the ban, and the country’s judiciary.

Donald Trump tweeted: “I have instructed Homeland Security to check people coming into our country VERY CAREFULLY. The courts are making the job very difficult!”

“Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!”

President Trump earlier called Judge James Robart’s ruling “ridiculous”, described him as a “so-called judge”.