30 Comments
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Sally Gordon-Mark's avatar

If a court found the government in contempt, what next? What is the penalty? A fine? A prison sentence? Who would enforce the verdict? I believe the Supreme Court deliberately worded their decisions in such ambiguous ways so as to SEEM correct and moral but do Trump’s bidding. Americans are now without protection.

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Susan Gillespie's avatar

The problem is that the levers of "enforcement" are in the Executive Branch, meaning they answer to T.

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Sally Gordon-Mark's avatar

That’s exactly my point. There’s no point saying that the courts should hold Trump and his government in contempt when there’s no way to enforce it. But a thought’s just occurred to me: Republicans should see Trump held in contempt perhaps…

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Bill Riley's avatar

It’s already way past time to impeach, convict, and remove Trump from office. Dems, please stop asking for donations and spend that time working in newfound common cause with Repubs to save our democratic rule of law. Please hurry.

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Robin Mayhall's avatar

I wholeheartedly agree with your first statement. As to the second … I’m a lifelong Democrat and committed to our cause, but I’m also getting frustrated with the soliciting texts and emails.

I’m getting texts from every Democratic candidate running for anything, it seems. In an ideal world, we would all support every worthy Democrat, but most of us cannot. I would like to see the party somehow concentrate requests on national races and the potential donor’s local candidates. Or—alternatively—ask people to donate to the Democratic Party so it can support the candidates who need it most.

Speaking of which: Can we not forget candidates in deep red states? The Democratic Party in my state of Louisiana has evidently just rolled over and died. We are very numerous, but voting numbers are awful. We have potential, but we need determined leadership!

I’m not a politics expert in any way, but I’m ready to support a strong party that’s ready, in turn, to lead.

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Larry McGinnity's avatar

As much as we want Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed, don't forget there are 260+ others jailed in El Salvador without due process. The abduction of people kidnapped off the street and imprisoned in a foreign land means the end of rights guaranteed since 1215 (i.e., the Magna Carta) and the 4th, 8th and 14th Amendments in our Constitution. The writ of habeas corpus, which allows individuals to challenge the legality of their detention, has a long history tied to the Magna Carta.

The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, while the 14th Due Process Clause ensures a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

As if those violations of the Constitution were not enough, the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the 8th Amendment prohibits such action inflicted by the government This amendment aims to protect individuals like Kilmar Garcia--and all other residents of the US, to be protected by the Constitution, from punishment that is excessively harsh or inhumane.

Trump has destroyed the Constitution and the Magna Carta in 84 days, with the help of cowed, cowardlyRepublicans in Congress and the SCOTUS. Shades of Nazi Germany 1930s!

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Joan Bosworth's avatar

The Supreme Court has to decide right now, if they are going to defend the constitution or put themselves out of a job by voting for fascism. I hope they realize, they can be sent to El Salvador too.

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Murray Smart's avatar

Trump is a Dictator. And now is in full blown - I do not give a damn about any law or right or court ruling in America that I do not agree with and I will not abide by it - I dare anyone to stop me...........King Donald has spoken......Now the America people need to speak!

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Joy Reynolds's avatar

Too little, too late. The time to speak was before the election.

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Murray Smart's avatar

Speak and Act!

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Papadas's avatar

interesting how in most cases, ‘ice folk’ mask up, so their kids will not recognize ’daddy’…

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Daniel Boone's avatar

It’s the Republicans Gestapo not just Trump. They are the ones coming up with these ideas for him and they are the ones supporting him . That’s it.

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lyn Renee kithcart's avatar

Apparently no angels can dance on the head of a pin. Resistance is our only path.

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Suki Wessling's avatar

Fragile snowflake, indeed. The most useful thing I learned during the first 4 years of the idiot was that anything he calls someone else, he definitely is.

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Brent Evanger's avatar

I think we need to do some form of "citizen's arrest" with these unmarked ICE agents.

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Brian Repko's avatar

How is the contract with El Salvador / CECOT even legal? Once we decide to deport we are literally moving them into the jurisdiction of another state. So El Salvador may decide his fate - and without due process that becomes a crime against humanity and the ICC can get involved. But we can't depot to a detection center outside the country based on a contract - that means that they are still under our jurisdiction. And again, being in another country would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The US DOJ can't have prisons outside the US. I don't see how ICE can have them. Like Guantanamo Bay was sketch for prisoners of war... this can't be legal.

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Jacqueline MacDonald's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. I'm outraged, sickened, & horrified. But not entirely surprised, given...*well, you know. . .* Now, what are the most effective things We the People can do now, in action, that will help ?!?!

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katsden's avatar

Show Up for Freedom and Democracy: Action 19 April - Fiftyfifty.one website.

This date is the 250th Anniversary of the first battle of The Revolutionary War in Lexington. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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Radha Bose's avatar

Who exactly, on the government's side, would be held in contempt? And what can be done if they don't comply?

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Daniel Bapst's avatar

Make America Great? It was never terrible!

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Dorathy's avatar

"they are just doing what the government tells them to do."

Reminder, this was rejected as a defense at the Nuremberg trails 🤷‍♀️

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Marilyn Egan's avatar

Correct on All counts

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