We’ve now moved into the phase of Trump’s presidency in which he decides the U.S. Constitution only applies to those he decides it does. For now, the people he’s decided are no longer eligible for the constitutional protections provided to all people, not just citizens, are undocumented immigrants.
When people come into our Country illegally, we must IMMEDIATELY escort them back out without going through years of legal maneuvering. Our laws are the dumbest anywhere in the world. Republicans want Strong Borders and no Crime. Dems want Open Borders and are weak on Crime!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2018
In the U.S. Constitution, the 5th Amendment is not only applicable to U.S. citizens, but to “all persons.”
‘No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.’
Frustrated by the process of legally deporting undocumented immigrants, which takes some time since the number of courts and judges are far too low to allow for a speedy process in determining which immigrants are eligible for asylum, Trump has recently declared our immigration laws “stupid.” Protection through due process, Trump says, is “stupid.”
Dear @realDonaldTrump: The "dumbest" law you refer to is called the United States Constitution. Specifically the 14th Amendment which provides due process to all persons, not just citizens.
You took an oath to the Constitution at your relatively small inauguration, remember? https://t.co/T2yGDC1Nt2
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 1, 2018
This is not just another Trump scandal of the day. When the president begins trying to subvert the constitution to suit his own needs, following the mass incarceration and separation of brown people for misdemeanor crimes, and after he’s promised to also ban immigrants based on their religion, we’re in a constitutional crisis.
Twitter agreed. See some of their comments below:
Featured image via Getty/The Donaldson Collection
