President Donald Trump signed a new executive order yesterday to “temporarily ban visitors from six Middle East and African countries while the administration creates an extreme vetting program, taking pains to remove the pitfalls of the original order and the perception that it’s a ‘Muslim ban.’” In that original order, created Jan. 27, Trump shocked millions of Americans when he signed an executive order halting people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Many people took to protesting at airports immediately after, including here at Sea-Tac Airport the weekend after the order was signed.
While the travel ban left many people understandably upset and fearful of what the future would hold, Federal Judge James Robart declared a block on Trump’s travel ban. Robart, who hails from Seattle, has since found himself at odds with the President, but shows no signs of stepping down.
We might not all be lawyers who have the power to block Trump’s actions, but we all have the power to stand up for what’s right. And that’s something we can learn from Robart.
The federal government requested to put Robart’s lawsuit on hold while an appeals court decides what to do next, but Robart rejected the call for a delay. He even cited Trump’s tweets.
“I thought the President said, ‘we’ll see you in court,’” said Robart, according to a reporter at the hearing.
This came after Trump had previously taken to Twitter to spew his distaste for Robart’s decision and refer to him as a “so-called judge.”
Yet here we have Robart, not taking any s--- from the President who questioned his ability. I aspire to someday be on that level.
Furthermore, it’s Robart’s persistence and will to fight for what’s right that makes him inspirational not only to other Seattleites, but to people all over the country. We need more judges to stand up to injustices like this. Now more than ever.
I know that often times it can feel like it’s impossible to truly make a difference, but look at Robart — he’s been proactive as hell. And did I mention he’s from Seattle? If that doesn’t make you proud to be a Seattleite, then I don’t know what will.
Reach writer Elizabeth Alvarado at opinion@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @idkelizabeth
