(BIVN) – The United States Supreme Court today ruled 5 to 4 to uphold a third version of President Donald Trump’s travel ban in Trump v. Hawai‘i.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a tremendous victory for the American People and the Constitution,” The White House stated. “The Supreme Court has upheld the clear authority of the President to defend the national security of the United States. In this era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements bent on harming innocent civilians, we must properly vet those coming into our country. This ruling is also a moment of profound vindication following months of hysterical commentary from the media and Democratic politicians who refuse to do what it takes to secure our border and our country. As long as I am President, I will defend the sovereignty, safety, and security of the American People, and fight for an immigration system that serves the national interests of the United States and its citizens. Our country will always be safe, secure, and protected on my watch.”

Hawaii Lt. Governor Doug Chin led the nation’s first challenge to the President’s travel ban, last year when he was the Attorney General. Hawaii opposed the law on the grounds that it was “unconstitutional and illegal under immigration law.”

“I hurt today for Hawai‘i families and others who have experienced discrimination and scapegoating due to President Trump’s bullying remarks and orders,” said Lt. Governor Chin in a statement. “I am fortified, however, by the spirit of all those who came before us and struggled for the American dream. The path to civil rights does not always come quickly, but I have faith in humanity and believe justice will eventually prevail.”

Hawaii’s Democratic U.S. Senators also issued statements on the Supreme Court ruling.

“What is legal is not always just. A narrow ruling on whether or not the President of the United States is in possession of the statutory authority to implement this policy avoids the basic question of whether or not it’s the right thing to do,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “The Supreme Court made the wrong decision and ignored the evidence that the Muslim ban, even the more narrowly tailored version, is a xenophobic policy that makes our country no safer than before. The American people know the truth about the Muslim ban: it is un-American and contrary to everything we stand for.”

“Today is a dark day for our country. Every time our country has singled out a minority group for discriminatory treatment, we have been proven very, very wrong,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Hawaii will be no different. By ignoring the President’s clear intent to discriminate against Muslims, the Court handed the President unfettered power to continue to target minorities.”

UPDATE: “Many of Hawaiʻi’s families vividly remember experiencing unjust discrimination on the basis of race and national origin,” said Hawaii Governor David Ige. “Our state will continue to be a check on this president’s irrational fear of travelers from predominantly Muslim countries. Sadly, the Supreme Court’s decision does not reflect the American values of inclusion, freedom, and opportunity. And it does not reflect the Aloha Spirit that Hawaiʻi exemplifies.”