“Praising the actions of acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates, who Monday night defiantly announced her refusal to defend in court the president’s executive order banning refugees and travelers from some Muslim countries, Democrats questioned whether Mr. Sessions could be counted on to act independently of the president when warranted. Within hours of Ms. Yates’ announcement, Mr. Trump fired her, referring to her actions as a betrayal of the Justice Department.
“What we saw last night demonstrates what is at stake with this nomination,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vermont Democrat, “
Yates refused to carry out a lawful executive order - lawful both as to form AND function. There is no legal question whatsoever that the President has the authority to ban immigrants (especially on a temporary basis) from any country he deems appropriate. Her failure to do so - WITHOUT any legal reason, just “I don’t like the policy,” is a clear violation of her oath of office and of legal ethics (i.e. you either represent your client to the best of your abilities, or you resign from the engagement).
Yates SHOULD have been fired, and any objection to that is pure and simple politics, not anything having to do with the laws of this country.
If the Dems want to play games, fine. Because Donald Trump is smarter than all of them and not only can, but WILL outplay them. How about McConnell decides to take the Senate into a recess starting at about 5:00 P.M. EST on Friday, and resume work at 9:00 A.M. EST on Monday morning. That’ll give Trump the ability to make recess appointments for not only Jeff Sessions, but Tillerson, Price and any other cabinet officer being held up by the Dems. Oh, yeah, and also his Supreme Court nominee. Then the Dems will HAVE to allow hearings and votes if they hope to stop them and Trump (which, of course, they won’t).
Please, Dems, continue to be obstructionist, pretty please, with syrup on top!
There is the real problem. 'rats are not going to change their tactics. McConnell is either complicit with the 'rats or a craven coward. His motives are immaterial but the results are the same.