At the start of the weekend, President Trump was busy doing what President Trump does — making things happen.

In an executive order on Friday, Trump limited travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Making good on a promise to increase national security and prevent future terrorist attacks within our borders, the president suspended the issuance of visas for these nationals for the next 90 days because of the prominence of jihadi violence within their borders. Along with a variety of other measures, the order also brought scrutiny on the process for immigrants and visitors from any nation by creating a temporary hold on any refugee travel to the U.S.

Trump’s order also prioritizes the admission of persecuted religious minorities in the previous countries after the temporary ban is up, whether those refugees be Yazidi, Christian or Muslim.

Trump has also ordered the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department to prepare a plan to create safe zones in Syria and the surrounding area within 90 days.

Predictably, the media and liberal politicians went crazy. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) took to Twitter, vowing to fight the order “tooth and nail.” Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued a public statement that claimed “the Statue of Liberty … has tears in her eyes.”

As National Review pointed out, it was all sound and fury: “Trump’s 50,000 stands roughly in between a typical year of refugee admissions in George W. Bush’s two terms and a typical year in Obama’s two terms.” Not only was Trump’s order not a religious test for immigrant admission, but Trump significantly scaled back his original promises and is well within his legal right to do it.

While many want to simply talk about the matter, others are hard at work. International religious persecution is a problem Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has seen and worked on for years. Smith recently introduced the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act (H.R. 390), which requires the State Department to support entities servicing genocide survivors and also allows Christians and other genocide survivors to access the U.S. refugee review process without needing a UN referral. Concerning this issue, Congressman Smith said, “Just last month I saw in Iraq the lack of humanitarian aid for Christian genocide survivors. These genocide survivors told me the United States and global community had abandoned them.” Those who wish to not only voice their concerns but get in the trenches can actively support this legislation and get busy to ensure it is passed.

While there is a pause in some areas of our immigration system right now, President Trump has promised security and a properly functioning refugee and immigration system — this result strikes a balance between security and compassion. Trump isn’t betraying American principles or values. While the refugee program should not be the focus of scrutiny (it is much more difficult for terrorists to come in through this program), other avenues of immigration are weak points that terrorists may exploit — and rightly should be scrutinized. There are reports of lawful permanent residents and U.S. military translators being held up too; clarity should be brought to why this is happening. While the order isn’t perfect, it does represent a fresh start for American security and our international friendships.

As a law enforcement officer, I worked on security and the preservation of justice. As a pastor, I work to bring God’s truths of love, justice and mercy to those in my care. Neither can be neglected at the expense of the other. The best laws are those that preserve both.

Originally published here.

Tell the Senate to Confirm Jeff Sessions as Attorney General

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) has an honorable record as a lawyer, a state attorney general and senator and will be a very effective attorney general of the United States. We urge you to call your senators in support of his confirmation. When Barack Obama became president, he nominated Eric Holder to be Attorney General. On February 2, 2009, mere days after President Obama’s inauguration, Attorney General Holder was confirmed by a significant majority of the Senate, who believed in affording the new president with deference regarding his cabinet choices. This same level of deference should be afforded President Trump and his cabinet, particularly regarding the selection of Sen. Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States.

Sen. Sessions has a record that reflects an understanding and respect for the rule of law and the God-given, government-secured rights of all Americans. Sen. Sessions’ experience as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Attorney General for the State of Alabama and a United States senator with key roles on various committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, will be invaluable at the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice has a recent history of disregard and selective enforcement of the law, wasteful, politically motivated litigation, and undermining states’ rights and responsibilities under the Constitution. Senator Sessions will restore a respect for the constitutional and proper role of the federal government and the rule of law to the Department of Justice. Sen. Sessions will work to enforce the law as it is written and apply it evenhandedly to ensure justice for all.

The selection of Sen. Sessions has garnered broad, bipartisan support from a diverse group of people and organizations. Particularly relevant is the support seen from the law enforcement community. The National Sheriffs’ Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Union of Police Associations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Narcotic Officers Associations’ Coalition, the National Association of Police Organizations, and a number of attorneys and attorney groups have issued statements of support for Sen. Sessions’ confirmation. These people and groups understand the importance of equal protection and enforcement of the rule of law.

Call your senators today at (202) 224-3121 or email them and ask them to support the immediate confirmation of Sen. Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States.

Originally published here.

This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.