The Department of Homeland Security appears to be at odds with the White House in regards to the justification for President Trump's temporary travel ban. In a new intelligence review, the agency found little reason to believe that the seven nations on the list posed serious terror threats to the U.S. The Trump administration disagrees and accused the DHS of politicizing the report.
A senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal that the DHS report’s assessment overlooked key information and the finished product that the White House requested has not been completed. The White House called the report politically motivated. Officials said it overlooked some information that supported the ban.
“The president asked for an intelligence assessment,” the official said. “This is not the intelligence assessment the president asked for.”
DHS Spokeswoman Gillian Christensen rejected the notion that their report was political, but did acknowledge it was an "incomplete" assessment. The report is three pages long and, as The Washington Post notes, does not address "head on" whether the ban is an effective measure. It also "does not represent the official position of the Department of Homeland Security."
Trump's original executive order on immigration may have had good intentions, but most would agree its rollout left much to be desired. For instance, the law did not adequately make exceptions for green card holders and airports seemed wholly unprepared for the policy change.
After being met with legal challenges all over the country, the White House has decided to re-write the order. However, Senior White House Policy Adviser Stephen Miller said last week that it would have "the same basic policy outcome."
