February 07, 2017

Castro Introduces Resolution Calling for DOJ Investigation into Trump Compliance with Constitution

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced a resolution (H.Res. 102) calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint an independent counsel to investigate whether President Trump or his staff directed, or knowingly permitted, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actions that violated judicial orders designed to stay the January 27, 2017 travel ban executive order (E.O. 13769). 

“Numerous media reports suggest that members of the Trump Administration may have violated court orders regarding the President’s Muslim travel ban,” said Rep. Castro. “I’m asking the Department of Justice to investigate whether the President acted unconstitutionally and purposely disregarded judicial orders. I hope President Trump obeyed the law, but if he didn’t, the Congress should censure him. If after censure the President again acts unconstitutionally, Congress should take steps to remove him from office. The Constitution established our government’s system of checks and balances to protect against power grabs. We in Congress are sworn to defend the separation of powers, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in calling for this investigation.” 

President Trump’s executive order, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” suspended entry into the United States for any citizen from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The order also suspended the entry of refugees from any country. 

After President Trump signed the executive order, several U.S. district courts issued stays to freeze its implementation. However, multiple media reports have stated that CBP may have violated those court orders and continued to enforce the executive order. 

“I strongly oppose President Trump’s executive order that clashes with our nation’s values and targets individuals based on their religion. But this resolution does not seek to question the legality of that order – it instead aims to determine whether the President of the United States respected the judiciary and did not violate the Constitution,” added Rep. Castro.

Full text of Congressman Castro’s resolution is available here: LINK

Video of Congressman Castro’s floor speech on the resolution is available here: LINK

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