“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” President Donald Trump tweeted. | AP Photo Trump lashes out at the ‘so-called judge’ who rebuked his travel ban

President Donald Trump on Saturday lashed out at the federal judge who issued a broad block of his executive order restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, calling his ruling “ridiculous.”

“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump tweeted at 8:12 a.m.


The rebuke came hours after U.S. District Court Judge James Robart, an appointee of President George W. Bush, ruled in favor of the attorneys general of Washington state and Minnesota on a lawsuit they brought seeking to overturn the travel ban.

Robart’s ruling marked the most sweeping condemnation of his immigration and refugee crackdown, which has roiled the U.S. and other countries since Trump signed the executive order on Jan. 27.

Trump’s attack on Saturday morning is not the first time that he has attacked a judge who has challenged him.

During the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly railed against U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, the federal judge presiding over civil fraud lawsuits against Trump University. Trump questioned whether the Indiana-born judge could be impartial, calling his Mexican heritage “an inherent conflict of interest.”

The president, in his morning tweet rant, also vented about the general idea that his executive order would be rebuffed.

“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, adding, “Interesting that certain Middle-Eastern countries agree with the ban. They know if certain people are allowed in it's death & destruction!”

The inflammatory language is especially notable considering that a statement from the White House on Friday night in reaction to Robart’s order was toned down.

"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 the original 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."

While no explanation was given for the removal of the heated rhetoric, such language toward the judge's order could land government lawyers in hot water.

