President Trump’s “Muslim Ban” Gains Huge Win
In a historically significant Supreme Court decision, President Trump’s ban on travelers from several countries, mostly Muslim-majority nations, has been upheld.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Travel Ban, Ignores His Anti-Muslim Speech[/tweetthis]
In the case of Trump v. Hawaii, the state’s government sued the Trump administration over the banning of travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea, and some visitors from Venezuela. This was the third time Trump has tried to block any travel from these countries. The last two attempts were defeated in court.
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP TRAVEL BAN. Wow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018
The government of Hawaii argued the ban was unconstitutional because it was based on discriminating against Muslims, not protecting national security. Hawaii used speeches from Trump in which he told audiences the ban was designed to keep Muslims out of the United States. The lawyers representing the federal government rebutted that the countries on the list were chosen because they had weak vetting systems that create a national security threat for the United States.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion. The opinion dismissed the words of the president were irrelevant. Roberts wrote the only issue the court could look at was if the policy was constitutional. The ruling supported Trump’s interpretation of immigration law. The more conservative judges felt limiting entry of individuals to the United States for national security reasons was within the president’s power.
Justice Sotomayor wrote the dissenting opinion. It was a searing attack on the ruling view. Sotomayor made it clear the president’s rhetoric was essential to include because “a reasonable observer would conclude that the Proclamation was motivated by anti-Muslim animus.” She compared the decision to the infamous Korematsu v. United States Supreme Court case, which legalized the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
President Trump speaks after the Supreme court ruling, calling the decision a "tremendous victory" pic.twitter.com/cSAYaVtK1J
— Meg Wagner (@megwagner) June 26, 2018
To generalize and discriminate against an entire group based on the actions of few makes zero sense. Men commit about 90% of violent crimes but there’s no one saying we should try and keep them out of our country. #NoMuslimBanEver
— Naomi Caplan (@_naomi_abigail_) June 26, 2018
Trump has declared the decision a huge victory for the United States and the Constitution. Opponents have decried it as legalized religious discrimination. With the Supreme Court ruling, the only way to overturn the ban would be with a new piece of legislation passed in Congress. With Republican control of the White House and Congress, it seems inevitable that the travel ban will remain in place until a sizable political shakeup.