ABC News Daily Trump’s showdown with the courts over migrants
Mar 20, 2025
Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University and expert in constitutional studies, discusses Donald Trump’s recent defiance of a court order regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. He explores the implications of invoking the Alien Enemies Act and the potential constitutional crisis this creates. Somin highlights the troubling rhetoric surrounding migrant treatment and the swift legal challenges to Trump’s actions. The conversation raises serious questions about judicial authority and the future of the rule of law in America.
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Trump Deportations
- Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, deporting Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.
- He claims America is at "war" with gangs, despite no declared war, bypassing due process.
Flawed Justification
- Trump's "war" justification is flawed as the gang's actions don't constitute an invasion.
- Ilya Somin points out the irony of Trump recognizing Putin's invasion but misconstruing gang activity.
Mid-Air Intervention
- A judge ordered a halt to deportations, even turning back planes mid-flight.
- El Salvador's president mocked the order on Twitter, saying "too late" after the migrants landed.