The president of the United States on Monday fired the acting attorney general after she refused to defend in court the ban on immigrants and refugees imposed by the White House on Friday.

“The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States,” the White House said in a statement.

Yates is a prosecutor of the era of former US president Barack Obama and was in office while waiting for the US Senate to confirm Donald Trump’s nominee for the attorney general, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions.

Trump has appointed Dana Boente, a prosecutor for the eastern district of Virginia, as the new acting attorney general.

“It is time to get serious about protecting our country. Calling for tougher vetting for individuals travelling from seven dangerous places is not extreme. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country,” the White House added.

In the statement, the White House said that Yates was “weak” on border security and “very weak” on illegal immigration.

In a letter sent to the attorneys and prosecutors of the Department of Justice, Yates said she was not convinced that Trump’s executive order was lawful and ordered them not to defend it.

Boente, the new acting attorney general, said he was “honored” to serve Trump until Sessions is confirmed.

“I will defend and enforce the laws of our country to ensure that our people and our nation are protected,” he added. EFE