Congresswoman Alma Adams Statement on the ‘Monday Night Massacre’

Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) released the following statement after President Trump fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates for refusing to defend the unconstitutional Muslim ban instituted Friday by Executive Order.

"Last week's botched implementation of a Muslim ban proves that this administration is in desperate need of qualified and experienced agency directors," said Congresswoman Adams. "Yates is a twenty-seven year veteran of the Department of Justice who prosecuted Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph. Her steady leadership is exactly what we need at this time.

"In 2015, during Yates' confirmation hearing to be Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General Nominee Senator Jeff Sessions stated that Attorney Generals have an obligation to ‘say no' to the President. Yates had the courage to do that and defended the Constitution; now she is being penalized for doing what Republicans demanded she do.

"Yesterday, I joined over 160 of my Democratic colleagues to cosponsor the SOLVE Act which defunds President Trump's Muslim ban. Today, I went to the House floor to demand a vote. In the absence of Congressional oversight, we need an Attorney General who will be a leader, even if that means standing up to the President when he is clearly wrong."