GOP Rep. Reichert: Trump order 'disrupted' lives, ineptly developed Former King County sheriff: 'As Americans, we are proud to live in a welcoming and compassionate country'

The Puget Sound area's lone Republican congressman -- Rep. Dave Reichert -- is taking issue with the executive order by President Trump that barred entry into the United States of persons from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

The Trump travel ban is hurtful policy that was ineptly put together, Reichert said in a Thursday night statement.

The ex-lawman's statement hours after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled there is "no evidence" that anyone from the seven countries has committed terrorists acts in the United States. The appeals court and kept in place a Seattle federal judge's ruling that blocked enforcement of Trump's travel ban.

"As Americans, we are proud to live in a welcoming and compassionate country," Reichert said in the statement.

"The way the executive order was developed and implemented did not uphold our values and disrupted the lives of many individuals who legally deserve to be here. "

The six-term congressman, whose 8th District spans the Cascades, declined to endorse Trump in last fall's election, but said he would not vote for Hillary Clinton. Of Trump, he said at the time: "When you insult veterans and others, insult certain ethnicities and certain groups of people ... I'm not going to endorse Donald Trump."

Reichert is a former elected King County sheriff. He has been called in by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who chairs the House Republican Conference, for advice on how to handle the hostile crowds turning out at town halls hosted by Republican House members.

Washington Rep. Dave Reichert: "The way the Executive Order was developed and implemented did not uphold our values and disrupted the lives of many individuals who legally deserve to be here." Washington Rep. Dave Reichert: "The way the Executive Order was developed and implemented did not uphold our values and disrupted the lives of many individuals who legally deserve to be here." Photo: LEVI PULKKINEN/SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: LEVI PULKKINEN/SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close GOP Rep. Reichert: Trump order 'disrupted' lives, ineptly developed 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

He is also chair of the trade subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, and positioned to see economic impacts of the Trump trade crackdown. Major technology companies have filed briefs supporting Washington's legal challenge to the Executive Order.

Reichert delivered an appeal that the White House deal with the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue instead of issuing unilateral edicts.

"Congress and the administration must work together to implement legislation that keeps Americans safe while respecting religious freedom and creating a way forward for those who wish to come here legally and contribute to our communities," he said.

Reichert has also voted against several of the rollbacks in Obama administration clean air and environmental rules that have been rushed through the House.

Such is the near-disappearance of "moderate" Republicans that only about 10 GOP colleagues have joined him.