Since a lower court judge blocked the order last week, Trump has criticized the decision. He labeled the judge in the case a “so-called judge” and called the ruling “ridiculous.”
Legal experts, Democrats and some Republicans criticized Trump’s remarks as jeopardizing the independence of the judiciary and attempting to use political influence to sway the courts.
Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court joined the criticism Wednesday in a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
Blumenthal said Judge Neil Gorsuch described the president’s comments about the judiciary as “demoralizing and disheartening.”
Gorsuch’s confirmation team confirmed the judge’s comments.
In his speech, Trump sought to link his comments about the court battle over his executive order to the law enforcement community in attendance.
“We have to allow you to do your job,” he said. “And we have to give you the weapons that you need, and this is a weapon that you need and they’re trying to take it away from you.”
The president has repeatedly said people are “pouring in” since the ban was put on hold and suggested that blocking the order would be dangerous for U.S. citizens.
