Donald Trump travel ban overruled: As it happened on Thursday February 9

Nick Allen
Updated

Donald Trump has suffered the biggest defeat of his presidency as a court refused to reinstate his executive order banning refugees and restricting travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. 

Furious at the unanimous decision by a panel of three judges to uphold the halt placed on his travel ban, he indicated he would now make good on a pledge to take the case to the Supreme Court.  

“See you in court, the security of our nation is at stake!” he tweeted in capital letters.

In response, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat who leads one of the states that challenged the ban, said: "Mr. President, we just saw you in court, and we beat you."

In the 29-page ruling, the judges at the San Francisco court of appeals said the government had failed to provide enough evidence that urgently implementing the ban was necessarily for the country's security.

The appellate judges noted compelling public interests on both sides.

"On the one hand, the public has a powerful interest in national security and in the ability of an elected president to enact policies. And on the other, the public also has an interest in free flow of travel, in avoiding separation of families, and in freedom from discrimination."

Mr Trump told reporters his administration ultimately would win the case and dismissed the ruling as "political."

The Justice Department said it was "reviewing the decision and considering its options."

5:44AM

GOP takes its side

The Republican National Committee has shared its support with Donald Trump on Twitter.

 

5:31AM

Emergency motion DENIED

A federal appeals court refused on Thursday to reinstate US president Donald Trump's ban on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, unanimously rejecting the administration's claim of presidential authority, questioning its motives and concluding that the order was unlikely to survive legal challenges.

The three judges of the San Francisco-based 9th US circuit court of appeals said the argument that the ban targets Muslims raised "serious allegations" and presented "significant constitutional questions," and they agreed that courts could consider statements by Trump and his advisers about wishing to enact such a ban.

Here is the beginning of the ruling by judges William Canby, Richard Clifton and Michelle Friedland:

Order per Curiam

At issue in this emergency proceeding is Executive Order 13769, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” which, among other changes to immigration policies and procedures, bans for 90 days the entry into the United States of individuals from seven countries. 

Two States challenged the Executive Order as unconstitutional and violative of federal law, and a federal district court preliminarily ruled in their favor and temporarily enjoined enforcement of the Executive Order. 

The Government now moves for an emergency stay of the district court’s temporary restraining order while its appeal of that order proceeds. 

To rule on the Government’s motion, we must consider several factors, including whether the Government has shown that it is likely to succeed on the merits of its appeal, the degree of hardship caused by a stay or its denial, and the public interest in granting or denying a stay. 

We assess those factors in light of the limited evidence put forward by both parties at this very preliminary stage and are mindful that our analysis of the hardships and public interest in this case involves particularly sensitive and weighty concerns on both sides. 

Nevertheless, we hold that the Government has not shown a likelihood of success on the merits of its appeal, nor has it shown that failure to enter a stay would cause irreparable injury, and we therefore deny its emergency motion for a stay. 

Read the full ruling here.

 

5:09AM

Donald Trump backs "one China" policy in call with China's Xi Jinping

Donald Trump has backed down over his confrontational stance towards Beijing, committing to the "One China policy" in his first phone call with the Chinese president since taking office, writes the Telegraph's China correspondent Neil Connor.

In a move that is certain to ease tensions between the United States and China, Mr Trump “agreed, at the request of president Xi Jinping, to honour our ‘one China’ policy,” the White House said in a statement. The “lengthy telephone conversation” on Thursday evening was “extremely cordial” and the two leaders “extended invitations to meet in their respective countries,” the statement added. 

Read the full story here.

4:10AM

Donald Trump speaks with Afghan leader as US commander calls for more troops

Donald Trump and Afghan president Ashraf Ghani discussed security in a phone call on Thursday, officials said, hours after the top US commander in Afghanistan said thousands more troops were needed to break a stalemate with the Taliban.

Mr Trump and Mr Ghani also spoke about opportunities to strengthen ties, counterterrorism cooperation and economic development, the White House said in a statement.

It said Mr Trump also emphasised the continuing importance of the US-Afghanistan strategic partnership and his support for Mr Ghani's government, which is faced with an emboldened Taliban-led insurgency that is still gaining ground after more than 15 years of war.

The Afghan embassy in Washington said Mr Trump and Mr Ghani had spoken on December 3, but Thursday's call was their first since Mr Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Hours before the call, General John Nicholson, the commander of US and international troops in Afghanistan, told the senate armed services committee in Washington he did not have enough troops to adequately advise Afghan forces on the ground.

Mr Nicholson said he had enough US troops to carry out counterterrorism operations against the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other insurgents but also acknowledged gains made by the Taliban over the past year.

"We have a shortfall of a few thousand," Mr Nicholson said.

Trump has so far offered little clarity about whether he might approve more forces for Afghanistan.

About 8,400 US troops remain in Afghanistan, well down from their peak of about 100,000 in 2011.

2:36AM

Senator Blumenthal on Donald Trump referencing his Vietnam controversy

Richard Blumenthal has talked to CNN about Donald Trump referencing his Vietnam controversy: "This issue is not about me. It's far bigger than me."

The Democratic Connecticut senator had been attacked by Mr Trump over his Vietnam record after disclosing that Judge Neil Gorsuch, the president's supreme court nominee, found Mr Trump's criticism of the judiciary "demoralising" and "disheartening."

Mr Trump insisted that Mr Blumenthal "misrepresented" comments from Mr Gorsuch, who expressed misgivings about the president's attacks on a judge. Mr Gorsuch's comments were first reported by Mr Blumenthal, but were subsequently confirmed by two other senators who heard versions of the same thing, and verified by the White House-appointed handlers shepherding Mr Gorsuch around Capitol Hill.

Nevertheless, sitting at a White House lunch between two of Blumenthal's Democratic colleagues, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mr Trump took the opportunity of a shouted question from a reporter to lash out at Mr Blumenthal, dredging up a years-old controversy in which the former Marine Corps reservist apologised for falsely saying he had served in Vietnam.

"What you should do is ask Sen Blumenthal about his Vietnam record that didn't exist after years of saying it did. Ask Sen Blumenthal about his Vietnam record," Mr Trump said. "He misrepresented that just like he misrepresented Judge Gorsuch."

The Connecticut senator defended himself in a series of interviews on Thursday, insisting that he had correctly characterised Mr Gorsuch's reaction to Mr Trump's attacks against a "so-called judge," as the president described the Seattle judge who put a stay on his refugee travel ban.

1:47AM

Kellyanne Conway: We will prevail

Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House adviser, told Fox News: "It's an interim ruling and we're fully confident that now that we will get our day in court and have an opportunity to argue this on the merits we will prevail."

Asked if the administration would go to the Supreme Court, she said: "I can't comment on that. ... He will be conferring with the lawyers and make that decision."

The Trump top adviser made waves earlier in the day when she urged the president’s supporters to buy Ivanka Trump’s line of clothing and accessories after they were dropped by a major department store, in what could be a violation of government ethics rules.

Mrs Conway was responding to the decision by Nordstrom to pull Ivanka Trump brand products off its shelves, a move Mr Trump denounced on Wednesday as “so unfair”.

“Go buy Ivanka’s stuff,” Mrs Conway said, speaking on Thursday from the White House briefing room. “I’m going to go get some myself today. 

Read that story here.

1:39AM

 '3-0': How Hillary Clinton and the internet reacted to Donald Trump's travel ban defeat 

Donald Trump was quick off the mark when he tweeted his reaction to the federal appeals court refusing to reinstate his travel ban, but his former rival Hillary Clinton was not far behind, writes Chris Graham.

The panel of three judges from the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations to enter the US.

Read the full story here.

1:35AM

Washington state governor to Donald Trump: We beat you

Jay Inslee, the Democratic governor of Washington state, has responded to president Donald Trump's tweet after a federal appeals court refused to reinstate the travel ban.

Trump tweeted: "SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!" In response, Mr Inslee said, "Mr. President, we just saw you in court, and we beat you."

Meanwhile, Washington state's attorney general said that Mr Trump should withdraw his "flawed, rushed and dangerous" ban.

Bob Ferguson also said in a statement that if Mr Trump doesn't pull the executive order, he "will continue to hold him accountable to the Constitution."

Washington state and Minnesota sued over the ban. A federal appeals court has refused to reinstate it.

 

1:28AM

Trravel (sic) ban opposers take to Twitter in a rush to celebrate the ruling

Opposers of Donald Trump's travel ban have taken to Twitter to celebrate the ruling of the 9th US circuit court of appeals.

Some appear to have rushed a bit and typos have started to emerge:

 

1:22AM

Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee could play decisive role in legal battle over travel ban

With Donald Trump’s travel ban now likely destined to come before the US Supreme Court, the president’s nominee to join the high court could play a decisive role, writes David Lawler.

While an appeals court in San Francisco was unanimous in refusing to reinstate the ban, that ruling will be in peril when it reaches Washington.

The appeals court leans to the left, with two of the three members appointed by Democrats, but the Supreme Court is more evenly balanced, with four justices nominated by Democrats, and four nominated by Republicans.

Read the full story here.

Profile | Neil Gorsuch

 

1:18AM

Sean Spicer: We are very very confident in the president's authority on this

Sean Spicer has told Breitbart News, far-right American news outlet previously run by Stephen Bannon, that the Trump administration feels "very very confident about the president's authority" on the executive order.

In a two and a half-minute awkward interview, which begins with the interviewer Charlie Spiering getting the number of countries named in the ban wrong, the White House press secretary said that the administration is "looks forward to a full hearing on the merits " of the case adding that the White House feels "very confident" that it will prevail. 

Ok I just ripped the whole Breitbart interview because as many people should be able to enjoy this as humanly possible pic.twitter.com/Lyfu5QPQus

— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) 10 February 2017

 

12:59AM

Donald Trump: We'll win easily

Donald Trump has spoken to pool reporters following the announcement of the ruling. 

"It's a political decision and we'll see them in court," Mr Trump told the press. "We have a situation where the security of our country is at stake. And it's a very very serious situation."

Asked whether the decision undercuts the early days of his presidency Mr Trump said:

"No, this is just a decision that came down but we'll win the case."

Mr Trump also said that he had not conferred yet with his newly confirmed attorney general Jeff Sessions, "we've just heard the decision."

The president said that he found out about the decision from the news before adding "It’s a decision that we’ll win, in my opinion, very easily."

 

12:41AM

US Justice Department "considering options" 

The US Justice Department has responded by saying it is "reviewing the decision and considering its options".

It's the first day on the job for new Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was sworn in at the White House earlier in the day by Vice President Mike Pence.

Timeline | Donald Trumps travel ban 12:23AM

Hillary Clinton gives a succinct reaction

Mrs Clinton emphasised that the three judges were unanimous.

12:15AM

Trump: "We're gonna win the case"

 

12:03AM

Who are the judges?

Here's a refresher on the three - Judge Richard Clifton, Judge Michelle Friedland and Judge William Canby - who made the decision

12:00AM

Bernie Sanders welcomes ruling

11:59PM

A president's national security decisions 

According to this interpretation a president's national security decisions are reviewable by a court.

11:54PM

Washington state governor declares "victory"

Jay Inslee, Democratic Governor of Washington state, said: "This is a victory for Washington state and indeed the entire country."

He said the decision emphasised that no one is above the law, not even the president.

Washington state and Minnesota brought the case over the ban.

11:52PM

Court says no terrorist attacks by someone from the seven countries

The US government had failed to produce any evidence that anyone from the countries named in the executive order had committed a "terrorist attack" in the US, the judges concluded.

Their ruling said: "Rather than present evidence to explain the need for the executive order the government has taken the position that we must not review its decision at all. We disagree."

11:50PM

Judges: 'Compelling arguments on both sides'

In their ruling the three appeal judges said: "On the one hand, the public has a powerful interest in national security and in the ability of an elected president to enact policies.

"And on the other, the public also has an interest in free flow of travel, in avoiding separation of families, and in freedom from discrimination."

11:45PM

Judges reject notion immigration policy is at president's discretion alone

The three appeal judges have unanimously rejected the Justice Department's arguments that the president's authority on immigration policy is his discretion alone, with no authority for review by the courts.

The panel said there is no precedent to support that notion, which "runs contrary to the fundamental structure of our constitutional democracy".

Washington and Minnesota had raised serious allegations about religious discrimination in President Donald Trump's ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries, the judges decided.

11:41PM

Mr Trump indicates the case will go to the Supreme Court

11:32PM

Appeal court rules against President Trump on travel ban

The appeals court in San Francisco has refused to reinstate President Donald Trump's ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals wouldn't block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travelers to enter the US.

Government lawyers argued that the ban was a "lawful exercise" of the president's authority and that the seven countries have raised terrorism concerns.

The states of Washington and Minnesota had said Mr Trump's executive order unconstitutionally blocked entry based on religion.

11:25PM

Appeals court refuses to reinstate Trump travel ban

The federal appeals court in San Francisco has refused to reinstate president Donald Trump's ban on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

The panel of three judges from the 9th US circuit court of appeals unanimously declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travelers to enter the US. An appeal to the US Supreme Court is possible.

10:45PM

Spicer 'confident'

Here's Mr Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer speaking earlier and expressing confidence the travel ban will be restored

 

8:00PM

Sean Spicer finishes speaking

What we learnt from today's briefing:

1. Kellyanne Conway has been "counselled" following her promotion of Ivanka Trump's brand on television this morning.

2. Spicer insists Judge Neil Gorsuch was talking "in general" about concerns about the freedom of the judiciary - not in relation to Mr Trump's lashing out.

 

7:23PM

Angry exchange about Quebec Muslim murders

Sean Spicer has an angry exchange about why Mr Trump did not tweet about a white terrorist killing six Muslims in Canada, but immediately tweeted about an attempted attack in Paris.

Mr Spicer says that Mr Trump did express his condolences for the Canada attack - but he just didn't tweet about it.

He says:

You literally heard me stand here and express his condolences.

The reporter points out that Kellyanne Conway said Mr Trump does not tweet about everything. He notes that Mr Trump tweets about his daughter's brand, but not the murder of six in a mosque in Canada.

But Mr Spicer reiterates that he stood there and spoke on behalf of the president.

Are you saying my words do not equate a tweet?  

This is the silliest thing I have ever heard.

7:19PM

Spicer asked about the tweets on the judiciary

Sean Spicer:

He is free to speak his mind.

Where has the outrage been the past 100 years?

Part of the reason the president got elected is because he speaks his mind.

The code is crystal clear on this. He is concerned he is doing what he can do keep the country safe.

The journalist presses on. Mr Spicer says the question is over.

You've asked the question now eight times.

7:17PM

Spicer on Judge Gorsuch

Sean Spicer is asked if the president still stands by his nomination for Judge Neil Gorsuch.

Absolutely.

He has no regrets.

Mr Spicer also defends Mr Trump, and says that Senator Blumenthal mischaracterised the judge's response.

There is big difference commenting on general philosophy, and on specifics.

As a whole, Judge Gorsuch said he does not like attacks on the judiciary.

That is very different.

The judge was very clear he was not commenting on any specific matter. He literally went out of his way to say that.

The idea of one branch talking about or commenting on another branch is as old as our republic.

When President Obama did it there was no concern. When he does it, it's a ton of outrage.

Profile | Neil Gorsuch 7:07PM

Kellyanne Conway has been rebuked over Ivanka Trump promotion

On Fox News this morning Kellyanne Conway told Americans to buy Ivanka Trump's products, saying "I'm going to do a free commercial."

Mr Spicer says:

Kellyanne has been counselled on that subject, and that's all we're going to say on it.

That's it.

7:01PM

Spicer lists Donald Trump's actions this morning

Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, is listing a series of executive orders Mr Trump has signed this morning dealing with law and order - including removing foreign criminals from the country.

Mr Trump met aviation leaders, he said, and they were grateful for the opportuinity.

"They were unanimous in asking for relief from regulation."

He has also spoken to the leaders of Afghanistan and Qatar, and is finishing lunch with Democrat senators to discuss the Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch.

 

6:54PM

Sean Spicer begins speaking

Profile | Sean Spicer

 

6:39PM

Jeff Sessions arrives at the justice department to take up new role

Mr Sessions, 70, a former Alabama senator, has just been sworn in.

He's being applauded as he walks through the door, and is shaking hands with staff.

It is a far more low-key arrival than that of Eric Holder - Barack Obama's first attorney general. Mr Holder was the first African American attorney general.

Profile | Jeff Sessions

Staff at the justice department, caught on camera, congratulate him.

6:32PM

Sean Spicer due to speak any minute

Likely subjects will be:

  1. Trump's response to Judge Neil Gorsuch saying he was "disheartened and demoralised" by the president's behaviour.

  2. Continuing row over Ivanka Trump's brand - fired up again by Kellyanne Conway this morning.

  3. Swearing in of Jeff Sessions, the new attorney general.

  4. Conversations with leaders of Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar.

6:28PM

Trump administration "critical and suspicious" of EU

AP: 

The European Union is blatantly anti-American and President Donald Trump's administration regards it with suspicion, a leading contender to be the U.S. envoy to the 28-nation bloc said Thursday.

Ted Malloch, whose potential appointment has prompted anger and alarm in Brussels, said he and Trump "have very similar views about Europe."

He said the U.S. is "somewhat critical and suspicious" of the bloc, an economic and political union involving half a billion people.

"We would prefer, certainly in the Trump administration, to work with countries bilaterally," Malloch said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Trump has yet to appoint an EU envoy. But Malloch, a 64-year-old former U.N. diplomat in who teaches governance at England's Henley Business School, says he has been interviewed and vetted for the post.

Reports that he may get the job have outraged many EU politicians. Leaders of the Christian Democrat, liberal and socialist groups in the European Parliament took the unusual step of writing to EU leaders saying that Malloch should be denied accreditation if the U.S. appoints him.

They accused Malloch of being on a mission "to disrupt or dissolve the European Union."

Malloch - an enthusiastic backer of Trump's "America First" policy - seems unperturbed at the cool welcome from Brussels. On Thursday, he declined to endorse British Prime Minister Theresa May's view that a strong, successful EU is in the global interest.

He said the EU's "blatant anti-Americanism" is "problematic."

"It has taken positions contrary to American foreign policy in the last eight years in any number of issues, whether it's on Israel, on the Middle East, on Iran, on some human rights issues," Malloch said. "There is a long and growing list of issues where U.S. foreign policy differs from that of the EU."

Malloch watched with approval as Britons voted last year to leave the EU. He sees the Brexit vote and Trump's election as part of an international movement to reassert national sovereignty and strong borders. And he expects that, in the wake of Brexit, other EU countries will re-consider their relationships with the bloc.

"I think that democracy is a very healthy thing," he said. "It certainly was good for Britain."

Critics say Brexit, Trump and European populists are tapping into xenophobia and other dark forces. In France, presidential candidate Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front says her country is in a fight for its "civilization" against the "two totalitarianisms" of globalization and Islamic fundamentalism.

Malloch appeared reluctant to comment on whether there is a dark side to the nationalist, anti-globalization wave. He declined to say whether he supported a Le Pen victory in the French presidential election this spring, calling it a decision for the French people.

"I don't know the history of that party," he said of Le Pen's National Front. "I guess there are some elements in its long past that are anti-Semitic or that have colorations certainly that I wouldn't subscribe to."

Malloch says he supports Trump's aim of "a more positive relationship with Russia" - something that is also fueling alarm in Europe.

He said a new detente between Washington and Moscow could help reduce nuclear tensions, fight Islamic State group violence, end the Syrian civil war and resolve tensions between Russia and its Baltic neighbors in the wake of Moscow's military machinations in Ukraine.

"All of these things, just objectively, would be good," Malloch said. "Of course, how do you get from here to there? That's the question."

He said Europe should not fear Trump's presidency, calling the trans-Atlantic alliance "the bedrock of American foreign policy."

Trump has previously called NATO "obsolete." But Malloch said the president has come to believe that "NATO is important ... but it could be restructured, re-engineered to be something forward looking instead of backward-looking."

"The rest of the world shouldn't be worried if America is strong again, that America is the sheriff of the world again, that the American economy is growing at a clip that it hasn't, frankly, for the last decade," Malloch said. "The rest of the world actually benefits from a strong America."

6:05PM

Donald Trump lunch to discuss Supreme Court nominee

President Trump is now meeting Democrat politicians to discuss the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Profile | Neil Gorsuch

Earlier today Mr Trump was furious about Senator Richard Blumenthal's comments that the judge was "demoralised and disheartened" by Mr Trump's actions towards the courts.

Mr Trump repeated his attack on Mr Blumenthal.

Ask him about his Vietnam record. He misrepresented that; he misrepresented the comments.

5:59PM

Justin Trudeau to the White House on Monday

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, is to have his first meeting with Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

A statement from the prime minister's office on Thursday said the leaders:

"look forward to discussing the unique relationship between Canada and the United States of America and how they will continue to work hard for middle-class Canadians and Americans, together."

The White House said the leaders will discuss "strengthening the relationship" between their countries.

Mr Trump has said he wants to discuss his plan to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement, which involves the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mr Trump has said NAFTA puts US workers at a disadvantage.

  • The meeting is crucial for Canada as the country is heavily reliant on the US for trade.

  • More than 75 percent of Canada's exports go to the US.

  • Of the 50 US states, 35 count Canada as their leading export market.

  • There are fears Canada could unintentionally be sideswiped as Trump negotiates with Mexico.

  • Trump's refugee and immigration ban may also come up in the discussions with Trudeau.

  • After Trump signed the executive order pausing entries to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority nations, Trudeau tweeted that Canada welcomed people fleeing persecution, terrorism and war. Trudeau said "diversity is our strength."

4:46PM

John McCain on Yemen: I trust the verdict of the generals

John McCain has just been cornered by the press as he walked into a committee room. Remember that Donald Trump this morning attacked Mr McCain - once again (see 2:45pm).

He is asked about the Yemen raid, following previous criticism of the White House declaration that the raid was "a success". Mr McCain said it should never be called a success when people die.

He now says only that they had a classified briefing on it. He refuses to comment on Mr Trump's remarks.

On the Yemen raid, which the Trump administration says was a success, he says:

I rely on the verdicts of the national security team: General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly. I hope he listens to General Mattis.

I have good conversations, often, with General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly.

4:13PM

Jeff Sessions being sworn in

Jeff Sessions has just given a short speech, as he is sworn in as attorney general.

He says:

There are a lot of things that we need to do. First, we need to value and support and encourage the fabulous people who work there. I've worked with them over the years. I know how good they are, and their talents need to be directed at this nation's benefit in a lot of different ways.

We have a crime problem. I wish the blip -- I wish the rise that we're seeing in crime in America today were some sort of aberration or a blip. My best judgment, having been involved in criminal law enforcement for many years, is that this is a dangerous, permanent trend. It places the health and safety of the American people are risk.

We will deploy the talents and abilities of the Department of Justice in the most effective way possible to confront this rise in crime and to protect the people of our country.

We have an increased threat since I was United States attorney from terrorism, Mr. President. You've spoken firmly on that. You've led this nation to say we're going to respond effectively to the threat of terrorism, and you can count on your Department of Justice to do so in an effective way.

And you've said something that I believe and I think the American people believe: that we need a lawful system of immigration, one that serves the interests of the people of the United States.

That's not wrong. That's not immoral. That's not indecent.

We admit a million people a year plus who -- lawfully -- and having -- we need to end this lawlessness that threatens the public safety, pulls down wages of working Americans.

3:19PM

What is happening in the meeting with airline CEOs?

Donald Trump promised during the campaign to improve infrastructure, including at airports - something likely to please the airline bosses. The initial reports from Reuters (see below) appear to confirm that that is up for discussion.

He also promised to rethink the rapprochment with Cuba. That will go down less well with the CEOs, who are ravenously chomping into the Cuban air travel market. American Airlines, Jet Blue and United now fly direct to the island, among other airlines - a route they will not want to stop flying.

They also have another issue to discuss: the travel ban.

My colleague David Millward reported on the comments of the CEO of United Airlines, Oscar Munoz, earlier this week.

David writes:

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz was surely pleased by a federal judge’s decision to stop (at least for now) the travel ban affecting people from seven Muslim-majority countries.

In a letter to employees last week, Munoz reiterated the Chicago-based airline’s commitment to diversity.

“We are a company representing every creed and conviction, background and belief. It is these differences that strengthen us and unite us as a company and a country,” he wrote.

In an interview, Munoz said the letter was meant to show support for employees struggling with emotions over President Donald Trump‘s executive order. The resulting chaos was “distressful” for many at the company, he said.

“At the end of the day, we all come from immigrants,” said Munoz, whose father emigrated from Mexico.

“I keep reminding them that we are a family together” and can’t be “divided by external factors."

“We need to figure out what the details are in the plans and what they’re going to cost,” said Munoz.

 

3:07PM

Donald Trump meeting airline executives now

Reuters is reporting news lines coming out of Mr Trump's meeting with airline executives.

TRUMP SAYS U.S. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IS "OBSOLETE"

TRUMP SAYS GOVERNMENT CONTRACT FOR A NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT GOOD

2:45PM

Trump's angry defence of Yemen raid

Last week's raid in Yemen - in which a Navy Seal, William Owens, and Yemeni civilians died - has become a flashpoint for the new administration.

It was Mr Trump's first military mission.

His team say they gathered valuable intelligence; critics say it was badly organised. My colleague Ruth Sherlock has been talking to numerous people about the success or otherwise of the raid.

Yesterday Sean Spicer said that questioning the success of the mission was an insult to Owens's memory - something which shocked many.

And this morning Mr Trump has turned on John McCain, his frequent sparring partner and someone who was captured in Vietnam, for asking for more info on the raid.

 

2:31PM

Kellyanne Conway pours fuel on conflict of interest fire

Donald Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has just used an interview on Fox News to urge Americans to buy Ivanka Trump's products.

“Go buy Ivanka’s stuff.

“I’m going to go get some myself today. 

“This is just wonderful line. I own some of it.

"I’m going to give a free commercial here: go buy it today, everybody, you can find it online.”

Hard to believe she can say this, given the anger at Mr Trump'sdubious use of the presidential twitter account yesterday to retweet messages supporting his daughter's brand...

2:14PM

Row over Supreme Court nominee's comments

Thursday morning has been dominated so far by reaction to comments made late last night by Neil Gorsuch - the man Donald Trump has chosen as a Supreme Court judge.

It's an immensely important role, as the nine judges sit for life and have the ultimate say on issues that define American life.

  • Judge Gorsuch told Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic senator, that he found Mr Trump's comments about the judiciary "demoralising and disheartening".

  • Mr Trump's own confirmation team for Judge Gorsuch later confirmed he had made those remarks.

  • On Thursday morning Mr Trump attacked Mr Blumenthal for relaying the comments - going after the Connecticut senator for having exaggerated his Vietnam war role. Mr Blumenthal faced criticism in the past for saying he had served in Vietnam. Mr Blumenthal served in the Marine Corps Reserves during Vietnam. He apologised in 2010, saying he regretted his misstatements.

  • Mr Trump himself has been criticised for draft dodging.

 

1:45PM

Who is Jeff Sessions?

 

1:37PM

Donald Trump's schedule today

9:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives his daily intelligence briefing

9:30AM THE PRESIDENT holds a breakfast and airline industry listening session

10:30AM THE PRESIDENT swears in Attorney General, Jeff Sessions

11:30AM THE PRESIDENT speaks with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan by phone

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT speaks with Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar by phone

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a SCOTUS listening session and lunch

2:15PM   THE PRESIDENT speaks with Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah of Kuwait 

2:45PM   THE PRESIDENT speaks with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq by phone

1:30PM    Press Briefing with Press Secretary Sean Spicer