The Trump administration faces backlash over deportation flights for Venezuelan immigrants, raising questions about court defiance. President Trump’s call for impeaching a federal judge highlights tensions between the executive branch and judicial oversight. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are scrutinized for their handling of a controversial spending bill, stirring party infighting. Cultural tensions also emerge as Trump challenges the Kennedy Center's programming, showcasing the intersection of politics and the arts.
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Alien Enemies Act History
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, allows deportation without due process.
It requires proving a threat of invasion and collaboration with a foreign government, bypassing typical asylum procedures.
insights INSIGHT
Risk of Defying Court Orders
The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act raises concerns about respect for legal processes.
Mo Alethi questions what other court orders might be defied if this behavior continues.
insights INSIGHT
Deportation Justification
The administration's justification for deportation based on tattoos, not criminal convictions, is problematic.
This raises concerns about due process and potential misidentification, as highlighted by the case of Jersey Reyes Barrios.
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The Trump administration caught some judiciary backlash last weekend after sending two deportation flights of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador. While the administration defends the flights under the “Alien Enemies Act,” federal Judge James Boasberg ruled them as unconstitutional. The flights took off anyway, leading to major questions about whether the Trump administration defied court orders to deport immigrants. What precedent does that set if true? Since then, President Trump has called for the impeachment of Judge Boasberg. Will the president impeach judges who rule against him?
Similar leadership struggles are plaguing Congress, with many Democratic lawmakers questioning the fitness of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Last week, Schumer sent a GOP-backed spending bill to a vote instead of blocking it like he’d originally promised. The bill slashes billions in non-defense spending, and according to some Democrats, gives Trump major discretionary powers over the budget. Still, Schumer defends the decision as the only choice to avoid a government shutdown. With party infighting and historically low favorability polling, can the Democrats unite to fight effectively against Trump’s agenda?
President Trump’s discretionary powers also seem to have spread to the arts. Earlier this week, he made his first visit to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since their recent changes to the board. Trump had previously named himself chairman of The Kennedy Center after ousting a historically bipartisan board of trustees. During his visit, he likened the state of the Kennedy Center to “open borders and men playing in women’s sports” and promised to change its “radical left” programming. Is Trump spending too much time on the culture wars?