JUST IN: Justice head tells staff not to defend Trump refugee order

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a Democratic appointee, directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend President Donald Trump’s controversial executive refugee and immigration ban, declaring Monday that she was not convinced that the order was lawful.

Her directive was likely to be temporary, given that Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general, will likely move to uphold the president’s policy. Sessions is awaiting Senate confirmation.

Still, Yates’ abrupt decision deepened the chaos surrounding Trump’s order. At least three top national security officials — Defense Secretary James Mattis, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and Rex Tillerson, who is awaiting confirmation to lead the State Department — have told associates they were not aware of details of directive until around the time Trump signed it. Leading intelligence officials were also left largely in the dark, according to U.S. officials.

More