A federal judge this week sided with the Trump Administration in a lawsuit meant to stop construction of a border wall along the U.S. and Mexican border.
Judge Gonzalo Curiel nixed attempts by the state of California and environmental groups to halt construction based on the notion that it violated federal environmental standards.
You may recognize Judge Curiel’s name – he was the same judge President Trump blasted as being biased due to his ‘Mexican heritage’ when handling a case involving Trump University.
The President is now singing a different tune, praising Curiel for his decision to let the border wall proceed.
Take a look:
Big legal win today. U.S. judge sided with the Trump Administration and rejected the attempt to stop the government from building a great Border Wall on the Southern Border. Now this important project can go forward!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018
Curiel, whose parents were legal immigrants from Mexico, said “it is not the court’s place to make policy judgments” and based his decision on the legal aspects presented before him.
In that regard, he ruled that the Trump Administration had not overstepped its legal authority.
The court “cannot and does not consider whether underlying decisions to construct the border barriers are politically wise or prudent,” Curiel added.
Exactly as a judge should make their decisions.
. @KatrinaPierson on border wall decision: “In this case, Judge Curiel is absolutely right…He sided with the Constitution, so I applaud him tonight.” #TheStory https://t.co/nTygxvJlFd pic.twitter.com/EnOSrhYu7N
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2018
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also celebrated the ruling and welcomed the opportunity to move forward with construction of the border wall, Trump’s signature 2016 campaign promise.
“Simply put – walls work,” the DHS said in a statement. “(The department) looks forward to building the wall where our frontline operators say it is needed and in accordance with all applicable laws.”
In 2016, President Trump complained that Judge Curiel, who was handling a case involving lawsuits against Trump University, had “an absolute conflict” in presiding over the litigation, given that he was “of Mexican heritage” and a member of a Latino lawyers’ association.
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Trump said, “We are building a wall. He’s a Mexican. We’re building a wall between here and Mexico.”
Now that wall is moving forward thanks to Judge Curiel. Oh, the irony.
Are you happy the border wall is moving forward? Share your thoughts below!
