When Sally Q. Yates faced a 2015 Congressional confirmation hearing for the position of Deputy Attorney General of the United States, she was asked if she would be prepared to defy a request from the President if it seemed to her to be against U.S. law.

"Senator, I believe that the attorney general or the deputy attorney general has an obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and to give their independent legal advice to the president," she said in response to the question, asked of her by Senator Jeff Sessions—the man now awaiting Senate confirmation as Donald Trump's Attorney General.

Yesterday, Yates was abruptly and sensationally fired from her post as Acting Attorney General for doing exactly that.

She made a decision that the Justice Department would not defend the President's executive order suspending travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations, and barring refugees from entering the U.S. for 120 days. In doing so, Yates said she did not believe the order was consistent with U.S. law.

Hours later, Trump fired her and to her nation.

"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. This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel," he said in a statement.

Now the White House is leaning hard on the Senate to have Sessions confirmed, and has appointed Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to fill the role in the meantime.

No matter who the Attorney General is, at some point the controversial order will be back in court and could be struck out.

It has formed the epicenter of opposition to the early days of the Trump Presidency, with rallies and protests held across the country since it was first signed on Friday.

Yesterday, former President Barack Obama, out of the job less than two weeks, issued a statement on the order, criticizing his successor's decision. An extremely rare and unusual act for a former President, and something Obama himself said he was going to avoid unless he believed America's "core values may be at stake".

"The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," the statement from his spokesman said.

Not this president, apparently. Beyond anything else, he seems unable to separate "schoolyard bully tactics" and "being president".

Nancy Pelosi and Fake Tears Chuck Schumer held a rally at the steps of The Supreme Court and mic did not work (a mess)-just like Dem party!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

In other judicial maneuvering, Trump will announce his pick to fill the vacant spot on the U.S. Supreme Court tonight, on primetime, live.

I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court. It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.)

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

Because this is The President, season one, and Sally Q. Yates: You're fired.