1A The Lawsuits Against The Trump Administration
Sep 9, 2025
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, joins Mary McCord, a national security expert from Georgetown, and Kate Shaw, law professor and Supreme Court contributor. They dive into the multitude of lawsuits challenging Trump's controversial policies, including immigration issues and executive overreach. The discussion spans the implications for checks and balances, the contentious birthright citizenship debate, and the evolving role of the Supreme Court in shaping legal standards during tumultuous times.
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Limits Of The Alien Enemies Act
- The Alien Enemies Act permits summary expulsion of "enemies" but its modern use is contested.
- Elliot Williams warns that political popularity doesn't make such expulsions lawful without due process.
Fifth Circuit Rejects Broad Use
- The Fifth Circuit read the Alien Enemies Act narrowly, requiring an invasion-like act for its use.
- Mary McCord expects the Supreme Court will likely resolve the competing interpretations next.
Legal Wins Can Be Practically Hollow
- Courts can reverse illegal executive actions but remedies may be hollow after harm occurs.
- Elliot Williams notes deported individuals often cannot be fully restored even if plaintiffs win later.