Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ description of Hawaii as “an island in the Pacific” on Thursday understandably upset lawmakers from the state.
As did his comments that a Hawaiian judge shouldn’t be able to overrule President Trump’s Muslim travel ban.
“We are confident that the president will prevail on appeal and particularly in the Supreme Court, if not the Ninth Circuit. So this is a huge matter,” Sessions told radio host Mark Levin on Wednesday, in audio uncovered by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski.
“I really am amazed that a judge sitting on an island in the Pacific can issue an order that stops the president of the United States from what appears to be clearly his statutory and Constitutional power.”
Needless to say, this ruffled many feathers, both in Hawaii — which has been a U.S. state since 1959 — and in the other 49 states.
The judge in question is U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson, a federal judge in Hawaii who also has mainland experience, having worked as a lawyer in San Francisco, the Washington Post reported.
In March, Watson issued a nationwide temporary restraining order to Trump’s travel ban, and then extended the order, prompting the president to file an appeal.
Fellow lawmakers were quick to come to Watson’s defense, with Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeting to Sessions: “You voted for that judge. And that island is called Oahu. It’s my home. Have some respect.”
Mr. Attorney General: You voted for that judge. And that island is called Oahu. It's my home. Have some respect. https://t.co/sW9z3vqBqG
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) April 20, 2017
Mazie Hirono, also a Senator in Hawaii said: “Hey Jeff Sessions, this #IslandinthePacific has been the 50th state for going on 58 years. And we won’t succumb to your dog whistle politics.”
Hey Jeff Sessions, this #IslandinthePacific has been the 50th state for going on 58 years. And we won’t succumb to your dog whistle politics
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) April 20, 2017
Hawaii was built on the strength of diversity & immigrant experiences- including my own. Jeff Sessions’ comments are ignorant & dangerous
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) April 20, 2017
This is the unanimous Senate vote confirming Judge Derrick Waston. It includes a "yea" vote from AL Sen. Jeff Sessions #IslandinthePacific pic.twitter.com/tVcmeMNojn
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) April 21, 2017
According to the Huffington Post, the Justice Department responded by stating that Sessions was correct. “Hawaii is, in fact, an island in the Pacific,” a DOJ spokesperson said, adding that the A.G.’s granddaughter was born there.
“Hawaii is, in fact, an island in the Pacific.” — DOJ spokesman on AG Sessions' criticism of a federal judge. https://t.co/r53V9M8zy9 pic.twitter.com/9nxiUBdELN
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) April 20, 2017
Yep, that didn’t help at all …
See more angry tweets below.
#IslandinthePacific pic.twitter.com/v62vpD7sz4
— Hawaii AG Holly T. Shikada (@AtghIgov) April 21, 2017