U.S. judge temporarily blocks Trump’s travel ban

SEATTLE— A U.S. judge on Friday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on travellers and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries after Washington state and Minnesota urged a nationwide hold on the executive order that has launched legal battles across the country.

U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle ruled that the states had standing to challenge Trump’s order, which government lawyers disputed, and said they showed their case was likely to succeed.

The two states won a temporary restraining order while the court considers the lawsuit, which aims to permanently block Trump’s order.

The White House later said it would seek an emergency stay of Robart’s order, saying Trump’s executive order was "lawful and appropriate."