U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday night fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates, after she instructed Justice Department lawyers not to make legal arguments defending his executive order on immigration and refugees.
"The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States. This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel," said a White House statement quoted by Politico.
"Ms. Yates is an Obama Administration appointee who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration," the statement added.
Yates was appointed by former President Barack Obama and would have served until Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's nominee for attorney general, is confirmed.
She will be replaced with the U.S. Attorney in Alexandria, Virginia, Dana Boente.
In a letter to lawyers sent earlier Monday, Yates wrote, "My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts.”
"In addition, I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right," she added. READ MORE
