What I find most frightening about this Administration is that it is trying to ignore any judicial ruling it does not like. What will enforcement look like when a Tom Homan says he doesn't care what a judge says?
Exactly. It's a frightening planned and choreographed attempt at authoritarian lawlessness.
Timothy Snyder: "If members of the executive branch are allowed to issue truth claims that have the consequence that human beings leave the United States, we are in a dictatorship. If we accept that the executive branch can simply deport anyone they call a "foreign alien terrorist," then none of us has any rights."
I have often said that the media should be educating all of us on what Project 2025 says and provide legal explanations to support what is being told to us.
Draining the country for profit by oligarchs is a component of "Orbánized Crime". Take over the courts, the press, rewrite the constitution, control the military, establish one party rule, and install a dictator for life. Project 2025, in collaboration with Hungary, is the instruction manual.
Heather Cox Richardson mentions Steve Vladeck frequently and now that I have witnessed his brilliance and expertise in this interview, I know why. Thank you, Contrarian, for making a platform to learn from all these experts in this significant way.
What happens when a court directs the Orange administration to stop one of its crimes or act to reverse an illegal act, and the Orange's staff basically ignores the directives? In the prior world, the courts could turn to the DOJ/FBI for enforcement, but not now. What possible means of enforcement do we have, if any? Can we begin forming a back-up plan?
I worry that words alone, like court orders, will not be enough. The DOGE boys commit crimes against independent institutions using police tactics. We absolutely must keep our judiciary functioning and safe, although I think mass media is also very powerful. But Agent Orange is starting to cross the red line with illegal deportations and total disregard for any court that isn't MAGA-ized.
Trump and cronies are attempting to exhaust us. It takes a lot of energy and money to pursue these legal cases, and sadly, Trump has the unlimited resources of the Department of Injustice at his disposal. We will need to support financially the groups bringing this vital litigation, and we will need to continue speaking out, as Jen points out, in the court of public opinion.
Bullying, intimidating... these are part and parcel of the mob boss tool kit. tRump is nothing so much as a NY mob boss - gilded, but a NY mob boss none the less and he has that mentality. He has been ignoring judicial rulings through endless litigation, for his whole business/criminal career.
Prof. Vladeck speaks clearly and succinctly, and actually answers the questions asked. This is a big help for readers to sort out the nuances of all that is going on. Thank you!!
I’d like to hear Steve and Jen weigh in on whether (and how!) courts might modify their decrees in light of Trump’s refusal to abide by court orders and decisions.
I only want to know one thing: why hasn't he been impeached and kicked out of the White House already? Just how many crimes against the public is he allowed to commit before being shackled and put on display the way he is permitting these Venezuelan's to be seen? I'm all for deporting those who belong to drug cartels, back to their own countries but only after due process is performed. If we bring back to our minds the way the US treated anyone who even looked Japanese during WWII, by herding them up and putting them into detention camps, we would then be more mindful that everyone who "looks" like a drug cartel person, possibly isn't. Give them the right to defend themselves and only deport to their own country, not just the countries will to take them in for the price of $6M!!! Everyone, except drumpf, deserves their day in court (said with tongue in cheek).
Excellent presentation! Below is an addition argument that the Alien Enemies Act was not intended to justify Trump’s action:
Historically, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 had companion legislation called the Aliens Act of 1798 that gave President John Adams and his Administration extraordinary powers to round up and deport individual aliens who presented a clear danger to the United States. The underlying goal of the Aliens Act was to deport French spies and Irish agitators in the context of the Quasi-War with France. Unlike the Aliens Enemies Act that responded to nations at war with the United States or threatening an invasion, the Aliens Act responded to threats caused by individuals. Congress was reluctant to give the President such power permanently so set an expiration date for the Aliens Act of 2 years after enactment (1800). That Congress felt it necessary to enact separate legislation (the Aliens Act) to deal with individuals that presented a threat to the United States is further evidence that the Alien Enemies Act was not intended for that purpose.
This is about power and using it inappropriately. Even if the issue at hand does not comport with the statute. Due process is at the center of our criminal justice process. If we don’t give them the right to it then will any of us have a right to it? The rule of law must be followed consistently every time. Trump administration does not give a rip.
Vladeck is the man. If you appreciate this deep analysis, subscribe to One First (his USSC substack). I am a paid subscriber to both One First and The Contrarian, and I find both valuable every day.
What I find most frightening about this Administration is that it is trying to ignore any judicial ruling it does not like. What will enforcement look like when a Tom Homan says he doesn't care what a judge says?
Exactly. It's a frightening planned and choreographed attempt at authoritarian lawlessness.
Timothy Snyder: "If members of the executive branch are allowed to issue truth claims that have the consequence that human beings leave the United States, we are in a dictatorship. If we accept that the executive branch can simply deport anyone they call a "foreign alien terrorist," then none of us has any rights."
Here is his essay posted yesterday:
https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-evil-at-your-door
You should read "Project 25". I'm not even a third of the way through it and I am gobstopped already!!
I have often said that the media should be educating all of us on what Project 2025 says and provide legal explanations to support what is being told to us.
Draining the country for profit by oligarchs is a component of "Orbánized Crime". Take over the courts, the press, rewrite the constitution, control the military, establish one party rule, and install a dictator for life. Project 2025, in collaboration with Hungary, is the instruction manual.
Um...no kidding!
We have got to apply the rule of law to these people now, before they run roughshod over our country!
But that's the quandary: who will apply the rule of law?
Wow! That was so informative! Thanks.
Please have Steve Vladeck back a lot.
A hearty YES!! Very nicely laid out, Steve! Come back soon!!
Heather Cox Richardson mentions Steve Vladeck frequently and now that I have witnessed his brilliance and expertise in this interview, I know why. Thank you, Contrarian, for making a platform to learn from all these experts in this significant way.
What happens when a court directs the Orange administration to stop one of its crimes or act to reverse an illegal act, and the Orange's staff basically ignores the directives? In the prior world, the courts could turn to the DOJ/FBI for enforcement, but not now. What possible means of enforcement do we have, if any? Can we begin forming a back-up plan?
Good point!! Whatever pressure we do have we had better implement it now, while we still can!
Please??????
There are civil remedies (contempt of court) at least for some of Trump's subordinates. (We know this is not going to be an easy.)
There are others also. The point is to drown him in law suits!!
I worry that words alone, like court orders, will not be enough. The DOGE boys commit crimes against independent institutions using police tactics. We absolutely must keep our judiciary functioning and safe, although I think mass media is also very powerful. But Agent Orange is starting to cross the red line with illegal deportations and total disregard for any court that isn't MAGA-ized.
LB Rose: I have been pondering this. I think we would need to hold National Strikes as happened in Poland. Bring all business to a halt.
Trump and cronies are attempting to exhaust us. It takes a lot of energy and money to pursue these legal cases, and sadly, Trump has the unlimited resources of the Department of Injustice at his disposal. We will need to support financially the groups bringing this vital litigation, and we will need to continue speaking out, as Jen points out, in the court of public opinion.
Bullying, intimidating... these are part and parcel of the mob boss tool kit. tRump is nothing so much as a NY mob boss - gilded, but a NY mob boss none the less and he has that mentality. He has been ignoring judicial rulings through endless litigation, for his whole business/criminal career.
Prof. Vladeck speaks clearly and succinctly, and actually answers the questions asked. This is a big help for readers to sort out the nuances of all that is going on. Thank you!!
I’d like to hear Steve and Jen weigh in on whether (and how!) courts might modify their decrees in light of Trump’s refusal to abide by court orders and decisions.
I only want to know one thing: why hasn't he been impeached and kicked out of the White House already? Just how many crimes against the public is he allowed to commit before being shackled and put on display the way he is permitting these Venezuelan's to be seen? I'm all for deporting those who belong to drug cartels, back to their own countries but only after due process is performed. If we bring back to our minds the way the US treated anyone who even looked Japanese during WWII, by herding them up and putting them into detention camps, we would then be more mindful that everyone who "looks" like a drug cartel person, possibly isn't. Give them the right to defend themselves and only deport to their own country, not just the countries will to take them in for the price of $6M!!! Everyone, except drumpf, deserves their day in court (said with tongue in cheek).
I also want to know "why hasn't he been impeached and kicked out of the White House already"?
It certainly cannot be because they cannot come up with something "illegal"!
Because he owns a majority in both houses of congress. None dare oppose his edicts for fear of being primaried and losing their cushy jobs...
toolman
Right!! Because every time he opens his orange mouth, he's breaking the law!! I wonder where we would be if we tried behaving the way he does???
Very informative! Thanks to both!!😊
Excellent presentation! Below is an addition argument that the Alien Enemies Act was not intended to justify Trump’s action:
Historically, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 had companion legislation called the Aliens Act of 1798 that gave President John Adams and his Administration extraordinary powers to round up and deport individual aliens who presented a clear danger to the United States. The underlying goal of the Aliens Act was to deport French spies and Irish agitators in the context of the Quasi-War with France. Unlike the Aliens Enemies Act that responded to nations at war with the United States or threatening an invasion, the Aliens Act responded to threats caused by individuals. Congress was reluctant to give the President such power permanently so set an expiration date for the Aliens Act of 2 years after enactment (1800). That Congress felt it necessary to enact separate legislation (the Aliens Act) to deal with individuals that presented a threat to the United States is further evidence that the Alien Enemies Act was not intended for that purpose.
I still believe that if trump is allowed to keep blowing past the Rule of Law, that HAS to mean that the Supreme Court will make itself irrelevant!
This is about power and using it inappropriately. Even if the issue at hand does not comport with the statute. Due process is at the center of our criminal justice process. If we don’t give them the right to it then will any of us have a right to it? The rule of law must be followed consistently every time. Trump administration does not give a rip.
Vladeck is the man. If you appreciate this deep analysis, subscribe to One First (his USSC substack). I am a paid subscriber to both One First and The Contrarian, and I find both valuable every day.
Well done, you two!
Again, how about a transcript!?! It took around 15 minutes to listen to the podcast, but I could have read the transcript in around 3 minutes!
If you open it in a browser (instead of the Substack app), there’s a great big button that says “Transcript” that will take you there.
There is surely a way to get to that from the Substack app, but I don’t know where it is.