Trump’s Campaign Rhetoric Haunts Him In Court

Over the course of a two-hour hearing, the thirteen federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals asked acting solicitor general Jeffrey B. Wall about statements that then-candidate Donald Trump had made about his intention of banning Muslims from entering the United States. The judges are reviewing the president’s executive order that would temporarily suspend foreign travelers from six majority-Muslim countries. During the May 8 hearing they expressed skepticism that the ban was based on national security concerns rather than his broad campaign promise. Wall defended the law, saying it was neutral. “Clearly the law has a disparate impact on Muslims,” said Judge Pamela Harris. “In what sense is it neutral?” The 4^th Circuit is considering whether to leave in place a Maryland decision siding with challengers who say the order violates the Constitution by discriminating on religious grounds. Another appeal of the ban is set to go before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit later this month.