OUR COUNTRY’S BALANCE OF POWERS HAS BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, AS OUR NEW PRESIDENT IS CHALLENGED BY SOME JUDGES IN THE OTHER WASHINGTON.
HELLO, EVERYONE. I’M RICK JACKSON. THANKS FOR JOINING US!
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS – AS A REMINDER, AN EXECUTIVE ACTION IS A CALL FOR THE AGENCIES HE OVERSEES TO TAKE A SPECIFIC ACTION - OR TO CHANGE AN EXISTING PRACTICE. THIS IS A SPECIAL POWER THE PRESIDENT HAS THAT ALLOWS HIM TO PUSH THROUGH FAVORED POLICIES, WITHOUT WAITING ON CONGRESS.
WELL, LAST WEEK PRESIDENT TRUMP RAN SMACK INTO THE LIMITS OF THOSE POWERS – WITH THE JUDICIAL BRANCH FLEXING A LITTLE MUSCLE OF ITS OWN.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED A CONTROVERSIAL ORDER THAT TEMPORARILY BARRED PEOPLE FROM 7 MIDDLE-EASTERN AND AFRICAN COUNTRIES FROM TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES. BUT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, THE BRANCH THAT INCLUDES THE SUPREME COURT AND LOWER COURTS WEIGHED IN.
TRUMP’S ORDER WAS CHALLENGED IN A WASHINGTON STATE COURT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THERE. A FEDERAL JUDGE THERE THEN AGREED THAT TRUMP’S LAW VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION, AND PUT A HOLD ON THE BAN – AND A HIGHER COURT ALSO AGREED. NOW TRAVELERS ARE WELCOME BACK INTO THE COUNTRY. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEFENDED ITS ORDER ON NATIONAL-SECURITY GROUNDS, BUT THE COURT DIDN’T THINK THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF THAT. IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO KEEP FIGHTING THE RULING, IT COULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT!
A NUMBER OF YOU WEIGHED IN WHEN WE COVERED THIS STORY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, LIKE KADIRAY FROM MARYLAND ELEMENTARY, WHO WROTE:
“A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TRAVELED TO THE U.S. TO ESCAPE THE TERRORISM NEAR THEIR HOMES AND ARE CALLED REFUGES. I'M AN IMMIGRANT, BUT WHEN MY FAMILY AND I TRAVELED TO THE U.S., WE WERE ALLOWED TO ENTER. IT'S DISAPPOINTING WHEN YOU DON'T GET TO BE ACCEPTED TO MANY COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF YOUR RELIGION OR WHAT YOU ARE. MY THOUGHT IS THAT WHEN REFUGES NEED TO ESCAPE THEIR HOMES TO AMERICA, I'D ALLOW THAT BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE NEED SOMEWHERE SAFE TO LIVE.”
MANY PEOPLE AGREE WITH YOU KADIRAY, AND HAVE BEEN PROTESTING THE TRAVEL BAN AT AIRPORTS AROUND AMERICA.
Instructional Links
Website Article: United States Courts, About Federal Courts
Website Article: Newsela, An Appeals Court in San Francisco Rules against the President's Travel Ban | Leveled articles include quiz & writing prompt. May need to sign in.
Website Article: Newsela, Leadership in Congress: It's a Party Matter | Leveled articles include quiz & writing prompt. May need to sign in.
Website Article: Ben’s Guide to American Government, Checks and Balances