Trump sacks attorney general Yates after rejection of executive order

Donald Trump has fired the acting US attorney general Sally Yates after she refused to enforce an executive order from the President to ban immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Trump sparked anger over the weekend after he issued the order, which prevents citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the US until further notice.

Yates, who was appointed by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, told justice department employees not to obey the order signed by the President on Friday as she did not feel it was lawful.

Protests have been raging across the country since the order was signed, with Republican as well as Democrat resistance coming thick and fast.

"President Trump relieved Ms Yates of her duties," the White House said overnight, reasoning that Yates "betrayed the department of justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States."

The former attorney general published a letter in response to the executive order in which she defended her decision not to enforce it.

"I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right," Yates wrote. "At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful."

She added that "for as long as I am the Acting Attorney General, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defense of the executive order, unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so."

Pressure is growing on the new President little over a week after his inauguration, as critics attack his policies towards the press and the environment, as well as the current immigration ban.