Judge rails against Trump in blocking birthright executive order for second time

A second federal judge blocked President Trump’s executive order that would restrict birthright citizenship, harshly condemning the administration for attempting to do so at a Thursday hearing. 

“It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain,” U.S. District Judge John Coughenour said as he announced his ruling. 

 “Nevertheless, in this courtroom and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow,” continued Coughenour, an appointee of former President Reagan. 

Coughenour agreed to grant a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s order as requested by four Democratic state attorneys general and a group of private plaintiffs 

He issued his order after hearing less than 20 minutes of arguments, pointing to his previous work in what was formerly the Soviet Union. 

“I said this two weeks ago, and I’ll say it again today: There are moments in the world’s history when people look back and ask, ‘Where were the lawyers, where were the judges?’ In these moments, the rule of law becomes especially vulnerable. I refuse to let that beacon go dark today,” the judge said. 

The judge’s order adds to a near-identical injunction granted by a federal judge in Maryland Wednesday. 

DEVELOPING