Trump escalates conflict with Chief Justice Roberts over asylum ruling -- here's what he said

President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon dismissed Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' assertion that there is no such thing as "Obama judges" who make rulings with political motives.

What Trump said: "Sorry Chief Justice John Roberts, but you do indeed have 'Obama judges,' and they have a much different point of view than the people who are charged with the safety of our country," Trump wrote on Twitter. "It would be great if the 9th Circuit was indeed an 'independent judiciary,' but if it is why are so many opposing view (on Border and Safety) cases filed there, and why are a vast number of those cases overturned. Please study the numbers, they are shocking. We need protection and security -- these rulings are making our country unsafe! Very dangerous and unwise!"

What Trump was responding to: After Trump criticized U.S. District Court Judge Jon S. Tigar for blocking his administration's asylum policy, Roberts defended the idea of an independent judiciary.

"We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges," Roberts said in a statement. "What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for."

What started all this? Tigar, a Ninth Circuit judge, prevented the Trump administration from enforcing a ban on asylum for people who cross the border illegally.

Tigar said the president is not allowed to rewrite immigration laws. The administration argued that the Central American migrant caravans justified the need for the policy. Trump was heavily critical of Tigar's ruling.

"That's not law. Every case that gets filed in the Ninth Circuit we get beaten," Trump said. "It's a disgrace."