Rand Paul questions Trump’s Alien Enemies Act usage
Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky has expressed concerns about President Donald Trump's recent use of the Alien Enemies Act. This law allows the deportation of noncitizens without a hearing in court. Paul warned that this move raises significant legal issues. He stated that the Bill of Rights protects everyone, not just citizens. On March 15, Trump used the Act to deport over 200 Venezuelan nationals accused of being part of gangs. This law had not been used since World War II. The deportations have led to legal disputes, especially with U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. He had ordered the Trump administration to halt the deportations, but they continued despite his ruling. The Trump administration claims they are following court orders, but they have accused Judge Boasberg, who was appointed by former President Obama, of bias. There have already been mistakes during the deportations. Some people deported were not Venezuelan, and others, such as women, were sent back to the U.S. because El Salvador would not accept them. Paul believes there is a conflict between constitutional rights and presidential powers in this case. He suggested that if the issue goes to the Supreme Court, the judges may support the government's actions, but he feels uncertain about that outcome. He also hinted that Trump's immigration plans might need some form of due process for those facing deportation. In the ongoing debate around federal judges and their influence on Trump's policies, Paul noted that he believes the Supreme Court will eventually limit the power of district judges to make nationwide rulings.