Trump: Travel ban judge responsible for future terrorist attacks

Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the judge who blocked his executive order to ban the entry of immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries into the US, saying that the responsibility for a potential act of terrorism in the country would rest on his shoulders.

Judge James Robart overturned Trump's ban on those entering the US from Iraq, Iran, Syria and four other countries with a ruling that was upheld by an appeals court in San Francisco.

In a series of tweets referring to Robart, Trump said that the court's decision had put the country in "peril".

"Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!" Trump tweeted.

"I have instructed Homeland Security to check people coming into our country VERY CAREFULLY. The courts are making the job very difficult!" he added.

President Trump had previously referred to Robart as the "so-called" judge when criticising his decision on Saturday.

Robart decided that Trump's signing of the executive order had not legally given enough evidence as to why the seven countries were singled out.

The executive order led to mass confusion and disorder at several airports across the US, as travellers were detained and deported just hours before the ban was overturned.

Vice-president Mike Pence defended Trump's actions on Sunday, saying that he was justified in his criticism of the legal system.

"The president has every right to criticize the other two branches of government," Pence said during an interview on NBC. "I think people find it very refreshing that they not only understand this president’s mind, but they understand how he feels."