Supreme Court Upholds Due Process in Deportation Case
In a major ruling this week, the Supreme Court blocked the deportation of several Venezuelan migrants who had been targeted under the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration. While the Court did not rule on the constitutionality of using the Act to deport alleged gang members, it affirmed that the migrants were denied due process, pausing their removal until a federal appeals court can rule.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) welcomed the decision, calling it “a reminder that our justice system still works” and denouncing Trump’s use of executive power as “lawless.” She emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution and due process, especially for migrants allegedly detained and sent to third-party countries.
Birthright Citizenship Ban Faces Supreme Court Scrutiny
The Court also heard arguments on Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors. Nearly two dozen states have sued, citing constitutional violations and overreach by federal district courts through national injunctions.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) warned that such policies could provoke a “constitutional civil war”—with some states recognizing birthright citizenship and others refusing it. He recalled meeting a deported family in Monterrey, Mexico, including a U.S.-born 10-year-old girl with brain cancer now unable to access proper medical care.
Targeting of Political Opponents Raises Alarm
Recent incidents have raised concerns about political retaliation by the Trump administration. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was recently charged with trespassing after protesting at a detention center, and Congresswoman Monica Macyver (D-NJ) may also face charges. Meanwhile, former FBI Director James Comey was questioned by the Secret Service over a social media post deemed a threat to the president.
Rep. Clarke condemned what she called executive overreach, while Espaillat described the administration’s actions as intimidation tactics. He announced that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will organize visits to immigration facilities next week, vowing to “not be silenced.”
GOP Budget Infighting Threatens Medicaid and SNAP
A controversial Republican budget bill suffered a setback after the House Budget Committee, led by Republicans, voted not to advance it to the floor. While the bill aims to fund Trump’s agenda, fiscal conservatives are demanding deeper spending cuts, especially targeting programs like Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps).
Rep. Espaillat criticized the proposed cuts, which would:
- Strip healthcare from 8.6 million Americans
- Slash $3 billion from food assistance
- Introduce work requirements for women receiving SNAP
He warned the budget plan would worsen the national deficit by $3.3 trillion, calling it “fiscal malpractice.”
Trump’s Middle East Trip Yields Business Deals, Not Peace
President Trump returned from the Middle East with no breakthrough on Gaza, Iran, or Ukraine peace efforts. Instead, he highlighted Saudi investment deals and was embroiled in controversy over a $400 million jetliner, which could violate the Emoluments Clause if accepted personally.
Rep. Espaillat argued Trump is being “played by Putin” and has made no meaningful progress on global peace. While Trump promises to speak with Putin, Zelenskyy, and NATO leaders about a ceasefire in Ukraine, lawmakers remain skeptical of any concrete diplomatic achievements.
Final Thoughts
From immigration enforcement to foreign diplomacy, Trump’s controversial use of executive authority continues to fuel legal and political firestorms. With the Supreme Court now weighing in on critical constitutional issues, and Congress pushing back on fiscal and civil rights grounds, the battle over the future of American democracy—and accountability—continues.
