President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty about whether people in the United States are entitled to constitutional due process rights as his administration pursues aggressive deportation of immigrants who entered illegally and non-citizens, including some detained for pro-Palestinian activism and political speech.
In an interview recorded Friday at Mar-a-Lago and aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Trump responded to a question about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that “of course” all people in the US are entitled to due process.
“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said, suggesting such requirements would necessitate “a million or two million or three million trials.”
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides for “due process of law” during criminal prosecution, while the 14th Amendment states that no state can “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Trump indicated his administration would “follow what the Supreme Court said” while expressing frustration that courts were impeding his deportation efforts. “I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it,” he stated, characterizing deportees as “some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth.”
On April 19, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants accused of gang membership. The administration has invoked a rarely used 18th-century wartime law and urged justices to lift or narrow their order.
US Solicitor General Dean John Sauer claimed detainees receive advance notice of removal and have “adequate time” for judicial review. However, the administration has deported hundreds without providing evidence of gang membership. In one notable case, authorities ignored a court order protecting Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia from deportation to El Salvador, later acknowledging an “administrative error.”
During the interview, Trump also addressed speculation about a third presidential term, stating it’s “not something I’m looking to do” and acknowledging “to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do” it. The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
On economic matters, Trump described the US as in a “transition period” but predicted it would perform “fantastically” despite tariff-related disruptions. When Welker mentioned some Wall Street analysts’ increased recession concerns, Trump countered, “Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history.”
He deflected responsibility for the first quarter’s 0.3 percent economic decline, claiming “the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy.”
Trump also stated he wouldn’t remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell before his term ends in 2026, despite previously threatening to fire him over interest rate policies.
Regarding TikTok, Trump indicated he would extend the June 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest US assets if no deal materialized. He expressed a “sweet spot” for the platform, crediting it with helping him win young voters in 2024, adding “, TikTok isโit’s very interesting, but it will be protected.”
About the author
Trump Strikes Ceasefire Deal While Houthis Pledge Continued Attacks Against Israel
Yemen's Houthi chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has clarified that their ceasefire agreement with the United States excludes operations against Israel. Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday that attacking Israel was not included "in any way, shape or form" in the Oman-mediated deal. This announcement came shortly after Israeli warplanes struck Yemen's Sanaa airport, causing approximately $500 million in damage according to airport director Khaled al-Shaief. The ceasefire was announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, who declared that attacks on Yemen would cease immediately after the Houthis agreed to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement, stating that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides." The deal specifies that "neither side will target the other... ensuring freedom of navigation […]
US and Houthi Rebels Strike Red Sea Ceasefire Deal After Months of Ship Attacks
Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced a ceasefire agreement with the United States, pledging to uphold the truce if Washington reciprocates, according to the group's spokesperson. "The U.S. interfered to support the Israeli entity by attacking Yemen. So, if they stop their aggression, we will stop responding," Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel-Salam told al-Masirah TV on Tuesday evening. He added a stark warning: "If the U.S. does not abide by the agreement in any way, the response will be fatal." Abdel-Salam revealed that negotiations with Oman, acting as mediator, had been underway for weeks prior to the announcement. Oman confirmed that both parties had agreed to cease hostilities, including Houthi strikes on U.S. vessels traversing the Red Sea. Despite this agreement, the Houthi spokesman emphasized that their support for Gaza would continue uninterrupted, stating that any deal with the United States would […]
Supreme Court Greenlights Trump Ban On Trans Troops While Battle Continues
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court's injunction blocking President Donald Trump's ban on transgender military service members, allowing the restriction to take effect while legal challenges continue. Tuesday's unsigned order from the court's conservative majority indicated that the three liberal justices โ Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson โ sought to deny the emergency request to lift the injunction. Since beginning his second term on January 20, Trump has implemented policies limiting transgender rights, including military service restrictions. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order recognizing only "two sexes, male and female" and rescinded former President Biden's order permitting transgender troops to serve. On January 27, Trump introduced a directive titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," which characterized transgender identity as adopting a "'false' gender identity" incompatible with military service standards. […]
Trump Administration Opens Trade Talks With China As New Tariffs Spark Global Concern
US and Chinese officials are preparing for talks this week aimed at reducing tensions in an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will participate in discussions in Switzerland from May 9-12, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will lead the US delegation. Since President Donald Trump's return to office, his administration has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports. Beijing has responded with retaliatory duties of up to 125% on certain US goods. Global trade experts caution that negotiations could extend for several months. This meeting represents the first high-level engagement between the two nations since Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng attended Trump's January inauguration. Treasury Secretary Bessent expressed optimism about rebalancing the international economic system to better serve American interests. […]
India Launches Massive Airstrike As Terror Chief Claims 14 Family Members Killed
Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar has claimed that 10 family members and four aides were killed in India's targeted airstrikes, conducted under Operation Sindoor as retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, according to PTI reports. A statement attributed to Azhar details that those killed in the strike on JeM headquarters at Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur included his elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, and five children from the extended family. "Ten members of my family were blessed with this happiness together tonight... five are innocent children, my elder sister, her honorable husband. My scholar Fazil bhanje (nephew) and his wife, and my beloved scholar Fazilah (bhanji) ... my dear brother Huzaifah and his mother. Two more dear companions," Azhar stated, referring to the deceased as "guests of Allah." Expressing neither "regret nor […]
Deadly Border Clash Erupts After Indian Strikes On Terrorist Camps
Seven people, including a woman and two children, were killed and 38 others wounded Wednesday as Pakistan Army artillery and mortar fire struck dozens of villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, officials told PTI. Officials reported that the Indian Army is responding proportionately to ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces. The shelling began following India's missile strikes against nine terrorist targets located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to reports, Poonch district suffered the heaviest casualties with seven deaths and 25 injuries. Additionally, the Uri sector in Baramulla district saw ten people wounded, while three others were injured in Rajouri district. Earlier Wednesday, India launched "Operation Sindoor," conducting a series of precision strikes that destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was executed jointly by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, entirely […]
Related
US and UK Reach Limited Trade Deal While 10% Tariffs Remain
President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a limited bilateral trade agreement on Thursday that maintains Trump's 10% tariffs on British exports while expanding agricultural access and reducing steep US duties on British automobile exports. The "general terms" agreement marks the first of numerous tariff-adjusting deals Trump expects to finalize in the coming weeks. It follows his implementation of new import taxes aimed at addressing the $1.2 trillion US goods trade deficit. Trump celebrated the deal in the Oval Office with Starmer connected via speakerphone. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer prepared to launch negotiations with Chinese officials in Switzerland. Trump emphasized that Britain "made a good deal" but cautioned that other trading partners might face higher final tariffs due to their large US trade surpluses. "It opens up a tremendous market […]
Robert Prevost’s Unexpected Path to the Papacy
Tonight, from the Vatican, a stunning development that will reverberate across the Catholic world. The College of Cardinals, in a move that has surprised many, has reportedly chosen Robert Prevost as the successor to the papacy. A figure perhaps less known on the global stage than some of the speculated frontrunners, Robert Prevost's ascent marks a potentially significant turning point for the Church. Robert Prevost, an American prelate who has been serving as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a crucial Vatican department responsible for recommending candidates for bishoprics worldwide, is now poised to take on the monumental task of leading over a billion Catholics. His background, notably his long service as a missionary in Latin America, particularly in Peru, offers a compelling narrative of a life dedicated to the pastoral needs of the faithful in the developing world. […]
US and Britain Set to Announce Historic Tariff Reduction Deal
The United States and Britain are preparing to announce an agreement to lower tariffs on certain goods on Thursday, marking the first such deal since President Donald Trump implemented worldwide tariffs. Trump announced on Truth Social that he would hold an Oval Office news conference at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday regarding a "major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country." A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he would provide an update on US-UK trade discussions later Thursday. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated the framework of an agreement would be announced. "The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security," a Downing Street spokesperson stated. "Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace, and the Prime Minister will update later today." A British official […]
Europe Commemorates 80th Anniversary of VE Day Amid Shifting Security Landscape
Solemn ceremonies will be held at war memorials across France on Thursday as the country marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, observed as a public holiday there annually. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron will lay a wreath at Charles de Gaulle's statue, walk up the Champs-รlysรฉes to the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and inspect troops. The ceremony will include a minute's silence, a rendition of the Marseillaise, a speech from Macron on "the values that triumphed in 1945," military bands from six countries, a parade of French armed forces personnel, flags, wartime vehicles, re-enactors, and a flypast. However, France is among the relatively few European countries marking VE Day with such an elaborate ceremony. Some commemorate it more modestly without a public holiday; others call it […]
Young Britons Turn to Catholicism Seeking Deeper Connection in Digital Age
Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Steel found a "great sense of peace" when he began attending Catholic Mass in Britain, something he says was missing in his life. Twenty-six-year-old Dan Williamson was driven to convert by an "ache" for something "deeper and ancient and more rich." Both are among a growing number of men aged 18-34 attending church in Britain compared to pre-pandemic times, challenging the assumption that Christianity was in generational decline in Western nations like Britain. As cardinals gather to vote for Pope Francis's successor on May 7, the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church, combined with a longing for connection and faith, appear to be attracting younger British adults, particularly men. "I was looking for meaning in life," Steel said after Mass at St. Elizabeth of Portugal church in southwest London, as incense lingered in the air. An Australian […]
UK Stocks Decline Led by Healthcare and Real Estate Despite Trade Talk Progress
Britain's main indexes fell on Wednesday, with healthcare and real estate stocks leading the decline despite positive developments in trade talks, as investor focus shifted to the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision. By 1008 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.3%. The domestically focused midcap index slipped 0.2%, poised to end its nine-session upward streak. An index of the UK's healthcare companies dropped 2% after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appointed Vinay Prasad, an oncologist previously criticized for FDA leadership and COVID-19 mandates, as the director of its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Shares of GSK and AstraZeneca fell between 4.4% and 2%, with GSK heading toward its largest daily decline in a month. The real estate index shed 1.3% following an industry survey that showed Britain's construction sector contracted for a fourth consecutive month in […]
Be the first to leave a comment