In a statement released to reporters in the early morning hours, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest reacted to Texas Federal Judge Andrew Hanen’s temporary injunction halting President Obama’s executive amnesty program.
The ruling was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Greg Abbott on behalf of the State of Texas before he was elected governor.
Earnest argued that Obama’s actions were “consistent with the laws passed by Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court” as well as “five decades of precedent” set by presidents of the United States.
“The district court’s decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect and the Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal that decision,” the spokesman insisted.
Earnest’s statement asserted that top legal minds as well as the district court in Washington D.C, posited that Obama’s actions were “well within his legal authority” and that many law enforcement officials agreed that it would “help keep communities safe.”
Furthermore, Earnest argued, the president’s actions would actually “benefit the economy.”
Reporters eager to question Earnest about the decision will not get their chance today at the White House daily briefing. An updated schedule emailed to reporters this morning announced that the briefing would be canceled “due to inclement weather.”