On the recordJanuary 31, 2017
there is a theme that is beginning to define this new administration: incompetence leading to chaos. Over the weekend, the hastily constructed Executive order on immigration and refugees caused chaos in airports across America and across the world. Folks were caught in detention at airports for up to 12 hours, young children separated from their mothers, husbands from their wives, elderly travelers denied medical care, green card holders and legal residents being denied the right to see an attorney. Some folks were pressured into signing away their permanent legal status. There were scenes of utter havoc. Nobody seemed to know the legal ramifications of the order, including the most senior officials in charge of enforcing it--at DHS, DOJ, and State. There is a reason no one knows the legal ramifications. No one asked the professionals in the Departments. Isn't it amazing--on one of the most sweeping Executive orders ever issued, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the head of the CIA have said through reports that they did not even know of it. The level of incompetence of this administration already, only 10 days into the Presidency, is staggering. The legal ramifications leading to the firing of Sally Yates last night--there is a reason no one knows the legal ramifications. No one asked the professionals in the Departments and agencies responsible for implementing the rules.…
