A longtime federal judge nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton in 1998, U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, is now questioning the “legitimacy” of Donald Trump’s presidency, reported Cleveland.com. The comments were delivered on Wednesday night before Cleveland's Anti-Defamation League as the federal judge expressed disappointment with Trump's tweet that attacked U.S. district court judge James Robart as a “so-called judge”. Judge Polster did not mention President Trump by name, however, but it was clear the reference was to him.
Federal judge slams Trump without mentioning his name
The federal judge was asked whether he was worried about the status of the judiciary under Trump and he said that this is "serious business." He went on to say that when you start "calling into question the legitimacy of someone, that undermines the whole system, all right?" The tweet he was referring to was in response to a ruling blocking a ban on travel from seven majority-Muslim countries.
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
9th District Appeals Court rules against Trump
On Thursday night, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of the states of Washington and Minnesota and against the executive order issued by the Trump administration.
President Trump was not happy about the ruling and said so. At least, he tweeted so.
SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017
However, Judge Polster went on to say about Trump that while it is his right to say so, he said that "It calls into question, and some might even say forfeits, his or her own legitimacy." He said to the Cleveland Anti-Defamation League that the founders of the U.S.
set in place a "checks and balance" system because of the legitimate fear that a president would want to become a "king or dictator." He added, "When you call into question the 'legitimacy' of a federal district court judge, that’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Federal judge calls into question ‘legitimacy’ of Donald Trump’s presidency https://t.co/CGZjidYFJf pic.twitter.com/J1buRTtZ74
— Raw Story (@RawStory) February 10, 2017
The line was crossed by President Trump and it is clear he is angered by the court ruling.
The next move is up to the White House, which could be an appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court or a re-writing of the executive order. Some view a re-writing of the order as a defeat and it is likely Trump will appeal. As he said in all caps: "SEE YOU IN COURT."
