Justice head tells staff not to defend Trump refugee order
By JULIE PACE, Associated Press
Jan 30, 2017 5:49 PM CST
Justice head tells staff not to defend Trump refugee order
FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump sits at his desk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The legal fight over President Donald Trump’s refugee ban is likely to turn on whether the president has the authority to control access to America’s borders and whether...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a Democratic appointee, says she's directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend President Donald Trump's executive order on refugees.

Yates said in a memo Monday that she is not convinced that Trump's order is lawful, or that its defense is consistent with the department's obligation to "always seek justice and stand for what is right."

Yates was appointed deputy attorney general by President Barack Obama. She became acting attorney general once Loretta Lynch left the position.

Her directive will be in place until she leaves the department, which will happen once the Senate confirms Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick for attorney general.