Trump, asked if he has to 'uphold the Constitution,' says, 'I don't know'

[essentialsaltes]

Trump said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he’s following lawyers’ advice as he tries to execute rapid deportations, arguing that giving immigrants due process is time-consuming.​

In an interview last month with “Meet the Press,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Yes, of course,” when asked whether every person in the United States is entitled to due process.

Trump, however, isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump replied when asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with Rubio.

When Welker tried to point out what the Fifth Amendment said, Trump suggested that such a process would slow him down too much.

“I don’t know. It seems — it might say that, but if you’re talking about that, then we’d have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,” he said.

“But even given those numbers that you’re talking about, don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Welker asked.

“I don’t know,” Trump replied. “I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.”

The Supreme Court has already made it clear to the Trump administration in three different recent decisions that it has to allow basic due process rights for immigrants based on the long-standing understanding of the laws.

 

[Fantine]

Trump said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he’s following lawyers’ advice as he tries to execute rapid deportations, arguing that giving immigrants due process is time-consuming.​

In an interview last month with “Meet the Press,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Yes, of course,” when asked whether every person in the United States is entitled to due process.

Trump, however, isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump replied when asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with Rubio.

When Welker tried to point out what the Fifth Amendment said, Trump suggested that such a process would slow him down too much.

“I don’t know. It seems — it might say that, but if you’re talking about that, then we’d have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,” he said.

“But even given those numbers that you’re talking about, don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Welker asked.

“I don’t know,” Trump replied. “I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.”

The Supreme Court has already made it clear to the Trump administration in three different recent decisions that it has to allow basic due process rights for immigrants based on the long-standing understanding of the laws.

He made an oath. He broke his promise to the American people. He us morally and ethically culpable.

 

[Nithavela]

In before people pointing out how other presidents broke the constitution.

 

[Bradskii]

​

“But even given those numbers that you’re talking about, don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Welker asked.

“I don’t know,” Trump replied.

S'funny. I could have sworn that I heard him say that he'd solemnly swear that he will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Must have been someone else.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Must have been someone else.

I wish!

 

[essentialsaltes]

Funny, the President himself declared May 1st to be Loyalty [to the Constitution, we hope] Day.

As our Nation commemorates Law Day, U.S.A., and Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our loyalty to the Constitution, and we renew our pledge to preserve and protect our glorious inheritance of fairness, equality, and freedom against all threats, foreign and domestic.

 

[Richard T]

I am going to defend Trump partially here. He refers us to his lawyers on this question why? Because he is not sure he is being unconstitutional. Until the issues are vetted fully, it remains an unknown at least in the administrations eyes. Meanwhile, Trump can hide behind some technicalities, like the USA cannot control El Salvador, a sovereign nation. So in a sense Trump is hiding behind some grey areas of the extent of the Presidential powers. and even these do allow some discretion on how far and fast he must act. The courts are somewhat timid in responding to Trump's defiance and Congress is on the sidelines as well. When does President Donald Trump’s defiance of courts in deportation case cross the line into a constitutional crisis? | Constitutional Accountability Center

I am not saying that Trump is in the free and clear, nor am I saying he is right. I am saying that with no enforcement mechanism, and definitive rulings on certain matters of law pending, Trump is taking the legal stand that he is perhaps constitutional or even unconstitutional and leaving it to his lawyers to sort it out with the courts.

Of course this is setting up a potential showdown. More cases are pending and personally I think the Trump agenda is running out of steam quickly as more and more people disapprove of him. Hopefully, he will compromise on tariffs and on immigration. He could though double down and at some point on his policies. I think Congress has to get involved. Unlike Pence, I do not see Vance or anyone in the "group think" cabinet that will take on Trump.
I will say that the founders were perhaps right that the VP should be the one getting the second most Electoral College votes. This is a check that would have been good for Biden and now for Trump.

 

[RileyG]

I’m not surprised by anything he says. No, I’m not defending him. He enjoys stirring the pot.

 

[RileyG]

S'funny. I could have sworn that I heard him say that he'd solemnly swear that he will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Must have been someone else.

It’s Trump. Is anyone surprised by anything he says anymore? Coming from a moderate conservative.

 

[Nithavela]

It’s Trump. Is anyone surprised by anything he says anymore? Coming from a moderate conservative.

I'd liken it to a horror dark ride on a carnival.

You knew it's going to be scary before getting in.

You've been spooked a couple of times already.

You know that there will be more jump scares coming.

But you still can't help but get startled.

 

[Bradskii]

It’s Trump. Is anyone surprised by anything he says anymore?

What I don't see is many people rejecting what he says and holding him to account.

 

[RileyG]

What I don't see is many people rejecting what he says and holding him to account.

Do you mean his followers or other people in general?

 

[RileyG]

I'd liken it to a horror dark ride on a carnival.

You knew it's going to be scary before getting in.

You've been spooked a couple of times already.

You know that there will be more jump scares coming.

But you still can't help but get startled.

We got what we (collectively) voted for. It is what it is.

 

[Nithavela]

We got what we (collectively) voted for. It is what it is.

Some people think that just because an election happened the way it did doesn't mean that the citizens of a country have to stop being engaged in the political process until the next election.

They can protest. They can make their voices heard. They can engage in discussion and debate. They might not be able to directly influence the decisions of the day, but they can collectively shape the political culture.

But perhaps we should just let go off the wheel and let our rulers do as they please.

 

[RileyG]

Some people think that just because an election happened the way it did doesn't mean that the citizens of a country have to stop being engaged in the political process until the next election.

They can protest. They can make their voices heard. They can engage in discussion and debate. They might not be able to directly influence the decisions of the day, but they can collectively shape the political culture.

But perhaps we should just let go off the wheel and let our rulers do as they please.

I agree. Freedom of speech et al.

 

[A2SG]

Some people think that just because an election happened the way it did doesn't mean that the citizens of a country have to stop being engaged in the political process until the next election.

They can protest. They can make their voices heard. They can engage in discussion and debate. They might not be able to directly influence the decisions of the day, but they can collectively shape the political culture.

But perhaps we should just let go off the wheel and let our rulers do as they please.

After all, that's exactly how the GOP acted during President Biden's term. They decided Biden was who was elected, and as President, he should be allowed to execute his agenda unimpeded, and they said nothing whatsoever as he did that.

Right?

-- A2SG, though it's possible I may have overlooked some stuff, it was a while ago.....