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Judge's Block Of Trump Executive Order On Sanctuary Cities Is Praised In Seattle

Elaine Thompson
/
AP Photo
In November, 2016, shortly after the Presidential election, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray vowed to support Seattle's 'sanctuary city' status.

Local officials are praising a federal judge’s decision to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s order to withhold funding from “sanctuary cities.” The temporary restraining order was issued in San Francisco, but applies nationwide.Seattle Mayor Ed Murray issued a news release calling the ruling yet another rebuke of Trump's "misguided agenda." Murray says it will prevent President Trump from punishing “sanctuary cities” like Seattle.

King County officials, who voted to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to support immigrants and refugees, are also pleased.

“Our values are that we are a welcoming and affirming place for everyone in our community and these kind of scare tactics the President has been using for his entire first 100 days need to be rejected every time he tries them," Joe McDermott, chair of the King County Council said.

Trump's executive order would have halted federal funding to "sanctuary cities." The order from U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco put that on hold until the lawsuit brought by two local governments in California are heard in court.

Several similar lawsuits, including one from the the city of Seattle, are still pending in federal court.

Paula is a former host, reporter and producer who retired from KNKX in 2021. She joined the station in 1989 as All Things Considered host and covered the Law and Justice beat for 15 years. Paula grew up in Idaho and, prior to KNKX, worked in public radio and television in Boise, San Francisco and upstate New York.