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Before pursuing the GOP nomination for president, Donald Trump was well-known, for among many reasons, as the host of the hit television show The Apprentice. On the show, people compete to become the next business tycoon and each week Trump would eliminate a contestant with the blunt phrase, “You’re fired!” Less than two weeks into the Trump administration, he has brought his catch phrase to Washington.
Yesterday afternoon, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates—an Obama holdover until Sen. Jeff Sessions is confirmed—instructed Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel not to enforce Trump’s executive order on national security, which included a temporary refugee ban. Justifying her refusal to abide by the executive order, Yates said, “At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the Executive Order is consistent with [my]responsibilities nor am I convinced that the Executive Order is lawful.” Hypocritically, Yates, who has been at DOJ for many years, never voiced her opposition to President Obama’s unconstitutional Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) amnesty programs… even after the courts ruled against the Obama administration.
President Trump responded quickly and removed Yates from office. In a statement, the White House pointed out that “This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel.” In the same press release, the White House announced that Dana Boente would immediately begin serving as Acting Attorney General. Boente said, “I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed. I will defend and enforce the laws of our country to ensure that our people and our nation are protected.”