Federal Judge James Robart, who initially stopped President Trump's travel ban with a temporary restraining order two weeks ago, denied a request Monday night by the Department of Justice to halt district court proceedings while a new, larger panel of 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judges could rule on the case.
The President last month banned immigration from seven countries with suspected terrorist affiliations - Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen - for 90 days.
The ensuing political fallout split the country. Supporters of Trump's executive order rallied behind protecting U.S. borders and installing further security measures; opponents protested at dozens of airports across the country, saying the move was instead a "Muslim ban."
The administration was hoping for all court proceedings to be suspended, which Robart found somewhat surprising after noting that Trump tweeted in capital letters "SEE YOU IN COURT" after Robart ordered a stay of the previous ruling blocking the executive order of the travel ban by the President.
That ruling was made by a three-judge panel in the 9th Circuit last week.
The DOJ will still seek what is known as an en banc hearing. Since only three judges heard the argument last week and ruled on the stay, the administration is seeking a broader group of judges to hear the appeal - 11 total out of 30 judges in the 9th Circuit.
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