If Obama thinks Ebola is a ‘national security priority,’ why no travel ban?
President Obama declared the Ebola outbreak a “national security priority.” That was three weeks ago. Yet, he has failed to treat it as such.
He could ban all travel into the U.S. of any person who has been in the affected West African countries. He has the legal power to do so.
Why hasn’t he?
The fundamental duty of the nation’s chief executive is to protect its citizens. Under Article II of the Constitution, he is duty-bound to respond to threats and to conduct the country’s foreign affairs. When a crisis presents itself, the president has nearly unfettered power and discretion to act. This includes protecting the health and safety of Americans. Does stopping the deadly spread of Ebola constitute such a crisis?
“This is a social crisis, a humanitarian crisis, an economic crisis, and a threat to national security beyond the outbreak zones.” Those are the words of the director general of World Health Organization during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
So, yes… this is a crisis. A deadly one. In West Africa, Ebola has infected 6,500 people and killed 3,000. In one week alone, more than 700 new cases emerged. The disease is accelerating, not abating.
President Obama insisted that the chances of Ebola reaching the U.S. was “extremely low.” That was September 16th. A mere four days later, a man infected with Ebola arrived here from Liberia — allegedly having lied at the airport in Monrovia about whether he’d had contact with anyone infected with Ebola. But his deception would have failed had President Obama ordered the travel ban on September 8th at the same time he was declaring Ebola a national security priority.
There is little doubt that other infected cases will reach our shores as the president dithers.