In the course of a TV interview, President Trump casts doubt on the due process rights of American citizens.
Host: DON GONYEA, HOSTING:
In a jaw-dropping interview, President Trump threw traditional due process rights under the bus, accusing the legal system of hindering his mass deportation efforts. When NBC News' "Meet The Press" host Kristen Welker probed about citizens and non-citizens' right to a day in court, Trump shrugged it off, stating he wants to boot millions out but isn't sure about their due process needs. Analyzing this controversy is NPR's Luke Garrett, here to fill us in. Hey there, Luke!
Luke Garrett: Hey there!
Host: Right, let's dive into Trump's comments on due process. What did he say about the Fifth Amendment and upholding the Constitution?
Luke Garrett: Well, NBC's Kristen Welker questioned whether the President believes both citizens and non-citizens deserve due process, their day in court. Trump responded by stating his mass deportation plans could be delayed due to court interferences, and when asked about Fifth Amendment infringement, he cited vague claims that his brilliant lawyers would proceed as the Supreme Court dictates.
The juicy part? His statements echo those from the Department of Homeland Security. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin asserts that the administration considers terrorists deserving of a distinct form of due process under the Alien Enemies Act – a legal archaism revived under Trump's watch. The Supreme Court may ultimately decide on these issues, but preliminary outcomes have already seen courts obstructing the use of the Alien Enemies Act, especially in the case of deporting Venezuelans.
Host: Moving on to the economy – what did the Prez say about the possibility of a recession?
Luke Garrett: Trump claimed to be unfazed by a possible recession lurking on the horizon, but he didn't entirely rule one out. The Commerce Department recently reported that the U.S. economy shrank by a paltry 0.3% in the first quarter of the year. Economists typically define a recession as consecutive quarters of decline. In the interview, Trump acknowledged less-than-ideal economic aspects, but blamed them on Joe Biden. When the subject of a short-term recession being worth potential long-term gains came up, Trump said...
(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "MEET THE PRESS")
TRUMP: Look, yeah, it's - everything's OK. What we are, I said, this is a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically.
Luke Garrett: He wrapped up his economic assessment by stating tariffs would catapult the U.S. to riches, a stance most economists refute, as tariffs significantly increase the cost of goods for consumers.
Host: What about tariffs? Any progress on those promised trade deals Trump keeps talking about?
Luke Garrett: No dice. However, Trump sounded optimistic about China relations regarding tariffs. He hinted at lowering tariffs in the future but also declaredthat he'd never remove the possibility of permanent tariffs from the table. His overall tariff stance remains inconsistent and contentious, leaving many eager to see those promised deals materialize, especially with China.
That's all from NPR's Luke Garrett. Thanks, Luke!
Luke Garrett: Thanks a ton! Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Enrichment Data:
- Aggressive immigration policies face recurring resistance: Trump's unorthodox deportation practices have consistently clashed with due process guarantees under the Constitution. Multiple federal courts have halted crucial measures, primarily challenging insufficient evidence for labeling individuals "alien enemies," inappropriate use of war powers to expedite deportations, and questionable detention tactics reminiscent of McCarthyera tactics.[1]
- Constitution vs. birthright citizenship: An executive order signed in January 2025 aims to revoke birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders. However, preliminary bans by four federal courts suggest the measure directly conflicts with the 14th Amendment and the United States v. Wong Kim Ark ruling, which underscored birthright citizenship as a cornerstone constitutional principle.[3]
- Legal friction in enforcement: While recent executive orders promote stronger law enforcement by increasing resources and legal safeguards,[2] they coexist with measures flagged by courts as constitutionally dubious. The administration's push to abolish regulations found unlawful by recent Supreme Court decisions[4] hasn't alleviated these tensions within immigration enforcement circles. Ongoing legal struggles have underscored ongoing constitutional disputes, with preliminary injunctions prohibiting core initiatives stacking up across the nation.
- The President's mass deportation plan could potentially encounter legal challenges due to concerns about citizens and non-citizens' right to a day in court.
- In the news, Trump's comments about due process have raised questions about his adherence to the Fifth Amendment and upholding the Constitution.
- Controversy surrounds the Trump administration's policy on deporting terrorists, with some arguing for a distinct form of due process under the Alien Enemies Act.
- The economy is a heated topic in politics, with Trump expressing his attitude towards the possibility of a recession during a recent interview.
- The administration's tariff policies remain inconsistent and contentious, with Trump hinting at potential lowering of tariffs but also suggesting the possibility of continued tariffs indefinitely.
