WASHINGTON, D.C. (KRON) — The new acting attorney general has directed the Justice Department to defend President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and refugees.
Boente is ordering the Justice Department to “do our sworn duty” and defend President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and refugees.
President Trump on Monday fired Sally Yates, the previous acting attorney general and a Democratic appointee, after she refused to defend in court his controversial refugee and immigration ban.
Yates said she was not convinced it was lawful or consistent with the agency’s obligation “to stand for what is right.”
Longtime federal prosecutor Boente was quickly named as Yates’ replacement and was sworn in privately late Monday.
Boente says in a statement issued by the Justice Department that Trump’s executive order is “both lawful on its face and properly drafted.”
In a statement, Trump said Yates had “betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States.” He named longtime federal prosecutor Dana Boente as Yates’ replacement.Stay with KRON4 for updates on this breaking news story on-air, online, and on the KRON4 app.