Another federal judge is blocking Trump’s travel ban in Virginia, indicating that he believes the legal challenge has a chance in court.
#BREAKING: Federal Judge GRANTS Virginia a preliminary injunction against President Trump's executive order on immigration and refugees.
— WRVA Richmond (@1140WRVA) February 14, 2017
BREAKING: Federal judge issues preliminary injunction barring Trump travel ban from being implemented in Virginia.
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 14, 2017
Judge Leonie Brinkema issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the ban in Virginia until it can be fully argued out in court. That means it could be weeks or months before overseas travelers are again blocked from coming into the country via Virginia’s international airports.
The case pitted the federal government, represented by lawyers from the Justice Department’s Civil Division, against the Commonwealth of Virginia, represented by State Solicitor General Stuart Raphael and Attorney General Mark Herring.
Apparently the challenge centers around alleged religious discrimination:
In her ruling, Brinkema wrote that it’s likely Virginia will successfully argue that Trump’s travel ban violates the First Amendment. The ruling cited Trump’s interview with Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody, where the president said his administration would prioritize the asylum claims of Christian refugees over refugees of other religions.
“The ‘Muslim ban’ was a centerpiece of the president’s campaign for months,” she wrote, “and the press release calling for it was still available on his website as of the day this Memorandum Opinion is being entered.”
This is also interesting because proponents won’t be able to say, “well it’s just the ninth circuit, they’re cuh-raaazy!” with this objection. BUT, Trump could escape all of this by simply rewriting the executive order, as many of his allies are recommending…