White House Vows to Fight 'Outrageous' Court Order

After a federal judge imposed a nationwide hold on President Trump's ban on travelers and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries, White House spokesman Sean Spicer released a statement late Friday saying they "will file an emergency stay of this outrageous order and defend the executive order of the President, which we believe is lawful and appropriate." Soon after, the White House sent out a new statement that removed the word "outrageous," the AP reports.

"The president's order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people," the statement said. US District Judge James Robart in Seattle ruled Friday that Washington state and Minnesota had standing to challenge Trump's order—which government lawyers disputed—and said they showed their case was likely to succeed. A n internal email circulated among Homeland Security officials told employees to comply with the ruling immediately. (More Trump travel ban stories.)