Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Revised Travel Ban, As President Defends Budget
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- A federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, has blocked President Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries.
Judge Theodore Chuang issued the order early Thursday, saying the ACLU and other groups were likely to prevail on their arguments that the ban was unconstitutional because it discriminates on the basis of religion.
The groups argued that the underlying rationale of the ban was to discriminate against Muslims, making it unconstitutional. Chuang granted a preliminary injunction nationwide basis.
Government lawyers argued that the ban was substantially revised from an earlier version signed in January that was later blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. They said the ban was ordered in the interest of national security to protect the U.S. from "radical Islamic terrorism.''
American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants' Rights Project deputy direct Lee Gelernt said the revised ban is "a Muslim ban.''
Gelernt said the judge's order also is important because it will remain in place "through trial, and not just for a couple of weeks.''
The Maryland plaintiffs also argued the ban illegally reduces the number of refugees authorized to enter the U.S. this year.
Chuang granted the preliminary injunction nationwide basis pending further orders from this court. He declined to stay the ruling should an emergency appeal be filed.
It was the latest ruling against Trump's revised travel ban.
On Wednesday, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked the ban, rejecting the government's claims that the revised travel ban is about national security, not discrimination.
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state.
His ruling prevented the executive order, announced March 6, from going into effect Thursday.
Trump responded to the Hawaii ruling Wednesday at a campaign-style rally in Nashville, Tennessee. He said the ruling was "unprecedented judicial overreach" that "makes us look weak."
The Trump team butted heads with critics over something policy wonks call a 'skinny budget.' The skeleton of a spending plan will be fleshed out in the weeks ahead.
The Trump team said deep cuts to discretionary spending are necessary and proper.
Critics said it will hurt everything from Amtrak to zoos.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, the budget blueprint has become a best seller at the government printing office in Washington.
The administration said it tells the story of a president doing what he promised.
"The president wants more money fro defense. He wants more money for border enforcement, he wants more money for veterans, and he wants more money for things like school choice," Mike Mulvaney, Office of Management and Budget said.
Mr. Trump's proposal boosts defense spending by 10 percent, homeland security by 7 percent, and Veterans Affairs by 6 percent.
The blueprint also eliminates funding for 20 agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Corporation for Public Broadcast.
The secretary of state said his department can handle its proposed 29 percent budget cut.
"We are going to construct a way forward that allows us to be much more effective, much more efficient, and be able to do a lot with fewer dollars," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.
The president spent part of the day with officials from Ireland to mark St. Patrick's Day.
The NYPD Commissioner said securing the parade and other big events will be more difficult if the budget passes.
"Under the president's proposal, nearly all federal funding to the NYPD would be eradicated. This funding is absolutely critical. It is the backbone of our entire counter-terrorism apparatus," NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said.
Mayor de Blasio said the budget puts the president's hometown in the crosshairs. He said democrats will fight to restore funding for what he considers critical programs.
There's a budget battle every year in D.C., this year will be no different.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
