Trump repeats criticism of court that halted his first travel ban

injunction against his order stripping money WASHINGTON — President from so-called sanctuary cities Donald Trump is once “ridiculous” on Twitter. again taking aim at a federal He said he planned to take appeals court district that case to the Supreme that covers Western states, Court. However, an administration saying he is considering appeal of the district breaking up a circuit that is court’s decision must a longtime target of Republicans go first to the 9th Circuit. and is where his first Republicans have talked travel ban was halted. for years about splitting the

Yet it would take congressional circuit into two appellate action to break up courts, but earlier legislative the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of proposals have failed, Appeals. Republicans have most recently in 2005. Those introduced bills this year to battles have often pitted do just that.

lawmakers from California Asked Wednesday during against members from a White House interview by

smaller, more conservative the Washington Examiner

states. if he’d thought about proposals

Critics say the court has to break up the court, Trump replied, “Absolutely, a liberal slant, a high caseload I have.” and distances that are

“There are many people too far for judges to travel. that want to break up the 9th The circuit is the largest of Circuit. It’s outrageous,” he the federal appellate courts, told the Examiner. He accused representing 20 percent of critics of appealing to the U.S. population. It includes the 9th “because they know California, Alaska, that’s like, semi-automatic.” Hawaii, Washington, Oregon,

The comments echoed Montana, Idaho, Nevada, his Twitter criticism of the Arizona, Guam and court Wednesday morning. the Northern Mariana Islands.

Democratic Congressmen John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan The circuit has 29 judicial and Jerrold Nadler of positions, many more New York, members of the than the 5th, which is the House Judiciary Committee, next largest circuit with 17. responded in a statement The 9th Circuit was created Thursday that Trump in 1891 when the American would “rather attack the West was much less populated. judiciary than defend his inhumane and unconstitutional Democrats have opposed executive orders.” the split. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

“The Muslim ban is unconstitutional, of California was a the so-called leading opponent in the 2005 ‘sanctuary cities’ order is push, which she said was unlawful, and the path forward politically motivated. She on these issues does has suggested adding judges not involve recycling a tired to the court instead. proposal to dismantle the In March, 9th Circuit Ninth Circuit Court of Ap- judges appointed by both peals,” the congressmen Democratic and Republican said. presidents told lawmakers

Trump called U.S. District that breaking up the court Judge William Orrick’s preliminary was a bad idea.