Democratic national chairwoman suggests Donald Trump acted like a 'terrorist' with 'Muslim ban'

'We don't discriminate based on religion' says Donna Brazile

Interim Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile, centre (REUTERS)

The leader of the Democratic National Committee has suggested President Donald Trump acted like a terrorist in a statement celebrating an appeals court decision to uphold a block on his travel ban.

Interim chair Donna Brazile said: "We do not discriminate based on religion," and added: "That is what terrorists do." Mr Trump's executive order affected people from seven Muslim-majority countries and followed his campaign call for a "complete and total shutdown" on Muslims entering the US.

On Thursday the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the ban after a lower court placed a hold on it last week. Mr Trump tweeted in response: "SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!"

Ms Brazile said: "This is a massive blow to the White House. The court upheld that we do not discriminate based on religion.

"That is what terrorists do, and what terrorists want us to do. From the four-month-old infant with a heart defect kept away from the surgery she needs in the US to the handcuffed 88-year-old blind man denied a wheelchair, thousands of decent, peaceful people have already been hurt, and all of us are less safe.

"President Trump still lacks the judgement to see the pointless chaos and harm he has caused. Our courts, thankfully, do not. We are confident this ruling will stand."

The unanimous decision, from the three-judge panel reads: "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."

President Trump signed the order during his first week in office, sparking confusion and protests at airports around the world. The restrictions prevented citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the country while temporarily banning all refugees from resettling in the States.

In its decision, the panel also ruled that Mr Trump's talk of a "Muslim ban" on the campaign trail can be used as evidence for discrimination. "The States argue that the Executive Order violates the Establishment and Equal Protection Clauses because it was intended to disfavor Muslims," read the decision.

"In support of this argument, the States have offered evidence of numerous statements by the President about his intent to implement a ‘Muslim ban’ as well as evidence they claim suggests that the Executive Order was intended to be that ban. It is well established that evidence of purpose beyond the face of the challenged law may be considered in evaluating Establishment and Equal Protection Clause claims."

Judge James Robart, the federal judge in Seattle who granted the temporary restraining order, inspired attacks from President Trump, who referred to him as a "so-called judge" and accused him of endangering the country’s national security.

Last year Ms Brazile was let go as a contributor by CNN after allegedly leaking debate questions to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.