This is enough to make Trump’s head spin
Trying to keep up with the Trump administration will make anyone’s head spin. Though the Supreme Court has been allowing Donald Trump to run roughshod over the country, they finally stepped in and put a stop to (part of) the madness. According to Slate, SCOTUS acted at 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning by issuing an emergency order stopping the Trump administration from flying Venezuelan migrants to an El Salvador prison. As Slate wrote, SCOTUS no longer accepts that this administration will do the right thing or follow the law, or at least most of SCOTUS. Samuel Alito dissented (what a surprise). This could be a good thing. Donald Trump needs to be stood up to once and for all. He cannot violate the Constitution, regardless of what he thinks. Our Constitution does not allow for deporting people without due process simply because they are immigrants. The Trump administration is not even checking for criminal charges. Indeed, Garcia not only had no criminal charges, but he was in the U.S. under protected status. This is not Russia; the government cannot simply disappear citizens with no consequences.
The Trump administration and his enablers are using the words of President Nayib Bukele to keep Garcia in El Salvador and to disobey the orders of the courts. This is so utterly ridiculous, and they all seem to think they’re right. Secretray of State Marco Rubio even thinks its funny, posting “oopsie” over the declaration. This is not in the least funny. How would Rubio feel if someone shipped him off to someplace without due process? He would be screaming he’s an American but look at what Americans are doing to others. Republicans think they are above the law and above everyone else. Trump does still have one friend on the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Alito. Who dissented from the Court’s opinion.
Alito’s dissent called the decision “hastily and prematurely granted” and said that the action was not “necessary or appropriate.” Alito questioned the legality of the Court’s ruling, yet he says nothing about the legality of Trump’s executive orders. Trump has signed eight bills since returning to office and instead has been handing out executive orders like candy. That’s not governing; it’s attempting to rule without authority. Alito had the nerve to write: “Both the Executive and the Judiciary have an obligation to follow the law. The Executive must proceed under the terms of our order…and this Court should follow established procedures.” Alito is correct about one thing: both branches of the government must follow the law. Trump has done nothing but trample on the law since he was sworn in. How about we all act like Americans and honor and follow established law in this country. Allowing and supporting authoritarian beliefs and behaviors has no place in this country. Shame on any judges or justices (as the case may be) who refuse to follow the letter of the law. They are the ultimate officers of the court and must behave as such if we are to remain a civilized society.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years