“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump tweeted Saturday. | Getty Trump warns of 'death & destruction' if U.S. not allowed to limit immigration

President Donald Trump on Saturday morning warned that “death & destruction” could result if the United States is not allowed to restrict immigration, a dark warning that comes hours after a judge issued a broad block against his travel ban.

“When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security - big trouble!” Trump tweeted, followed by, “Interesting that certain Middle-Eastern countries agree with the ban. They know if certain people are allowed in it's death & destruction!”


Trump is likely referring to the comments from UAE’s foreign minister, Abdullah bin-Zayed al-Nayhan, who broke with many Muslim government officials in defending Trump’s travel ban this past week.

The president on Saturday also attacked the judge that issued a rebuke of his executive order.

“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!”

Trump's decision to issue a sweeping executive order on Jan. 27 restricting travel into the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries has caused a furor, with protests breaking out at airports and persisting in some pockets nationwide.

On Friday night, a federal judge in Seattle, U.S. District Court Judge James Robart, blocked the impact of the executive order nationwide, marking the most significant legal rebuke to the administration so far.

The ruling appeared to shut down all significant aspects of Trump's order that had immediate effect, including the suspension of entry into the U.S. of citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, as well as the 120-day halt to refugee admissions. The order also rejected Trump's effort to give Christians in those countries priority in the refugee program.

The White House quickly pushed back against the order on Friday evening.

"At the earliest possible time, the Department of Justice intends to file an emergency stay of this outrageous order and defend the executive order of the President, which we believe is lawful and appropriate," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in a written statement. "The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people."

Spicer's statement was reissued about 10 minutes later to remove the word "outrageous."

