WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge James L. Robart, a George W. Bush appointee, temporarily blocked President Trump’s anti-refugee executive order nationwide:

“I am pleased the courts have rejected President Trump’s ineffective and unconstitutional executive order.  Religious freedom is one of our most cherished and fundamental principles.  The President’s executive order deserved to be halted because it undermines American values and compromises our ability to fight terrorism.

“The ban itself was poorly vetted and apparently written without input from senior leaders in the Defense Department, State Department, and Homeland Security.

“Like all Americans, the President is free to disagree with court rulings.  But when President Trump personally criticizes judges like this he is really insulting the entire judiciary.  The President should refrain from these types of personal insults.  We have a system of government built on checks and balances, and everyone including the President must respect that principle.”