President Obama Has Broken His Silence on Trump's Immigration Order

Former President Barack Obama has issued his first statement since he left the White House. The statement specifically addresses President Donald Trump's contentious immigration ban on refugees and residents of seven primarily Muslim countries. Criticizing the order, Obama writes that he "fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion." The statement was released Monday morning via Obama's spokesman, Kevin Lewis.

While the Trump White House cited Obama's 2011 executive order temporarily halting Iraqi refugees from entering the country — seemingly an attempt to defend the ban from criticism — Obama's statement strongly dismissed the comparison by emphasizing the religious aspect of Trump's ban.

Obama also expressed support for protests that have sprung up around the country and said he is encouraged by the surge of demonstrations nationally against the order. "Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize, and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake," the statement reads.

Much like Obama's last speech as president, his new statement on the travel ban also reminds citizens of their own duty to their country. "Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy," the statement advises, "not just during an election day."