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The Rachel Maddow Show

'Criminal contempt' looms over Trump's showdown with courts over deportation fiat

Apr 17, 2025
Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic Senator from Maryland and an advocate for immigration justice, dives into the controversial deportation flights under Trump. He discusses his urgent mission in El Salvador to bring back a constituent wrongfully deported, highlighting the significant human rights violations involved. The conversation also touches on a federal judge’s frustration with the administration’s actions, raising concerns about potential contempt charges for non-compliance with court orders. It's a compelling dialogue on justice, accountability, and the real impact of immigration policies.
42:47

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Michigan State University's mutual academic defense compact illustrates a collaborative approach among universities to safeguard academic freedom against political threats.
  • The establishment of the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network highlights an organized effort to protect federal workers' rights amidst politically motivated actions.

Deep dives

Michigan State's Mutual Academic Defense Compact

Michigan State University has voted to join a mutual academic defense compact with other schools in the Big Ten conference, aimed at protecting themselves from potential political attacks, particularly from former President Trump. The compact stipulates that if any school faces an attack, the others will support it, sharing resources like legal expertise and publicity to fight back collectively. This initiative is gaining traction, with several other institutions, including Rutgers and Indiana University, having already adopted similar measures. As a response to a perceived threat against academic freedom, the compact symbolizes a proactive stance that emphasizes solidarity among universities under political scrutiny.

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