Perhaps the biggest common theme of Donald Trump’s second term is that his administration actively uses federal power to punish those seen as their or his enemies.
Some foreign students who criticized Israel were revoked their visas. Stir in Ice detained.
Venezuelan National with Tattoo – Some Possible Members Foreign gangs,,,,, Some possible no – Has been deported to El Salvador and imprisoned there.
Dissatisfied with Trump’s main law firm Obtained by an executive order Aim to expel customers and destroy their business.
Elite University That’s a place for protests or a policy-making process, and what the government doesn’t like is the withdrawal of hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding.
This is a frightening shift for American governance. Trump and the tough appointees working for this new administration seem to intend to destroy the lives of people they believe are enemies of the country and punish them with state power.
Trump officials punish enemies first – no prior procedure or fairness
This makes most of the difference that there is no process or fairness in making any of these decisions.
Detention, execution of orders and fund revocation are first – deportation if the government can get rid of them.
After that, powerful institutions may back down these harsh actions by enough bowing and scratching (as a law firm Paul Weiss did it Columbia University is Try to do). Strong people can only hope to sue in court and hope that the judge can help them.
The lack of process beforehand makes innocent people more likely to be swept away by mistake. But Trump officials don’t seem to mind.
In a hurry to deport Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador Gay Venezuelan makeup artist. To revoke the visas of foreign students who “support Hamas” who “support Hamas” do not seem to care that they may have Detained doctoral students For co-written expert In campus newspaper.
Trump sets the tone, but his appointment is enthusiastically attended
Trump and his Maga True-Believer appointments are clearly responsible for individuals who target many of the policies that are targeting their so-called enemies. But more broadly, he set a moral that spreads across government, even those associated with his movement are not very public.
For example, Secretary of State Marco Rubio brags on Thursday that he is personally responsible for revoking visas to hundreds of anti-Israel protesters. “We do this every day. Whenever I find one of these lunatics, I take their visa.” He said.
Another anecdote told from the Social Security Agency, currently run by agent-appointed Leland Dudek.
Earlier this month, the agency canceled a contract that allowed newborn parents in Maine to provide their new baby with a social insurance number at the hospital. back criticizethis decision was reversed, but there is a mystery as to why it happened. Was it screwed up? Or is it intentionally punishing the people of Maine because of a cold public exchange between Trump and state Democratic Gov. Janet Mills? (Trump threatens to withdraw federal funding to the state’s policy on cross-athletes, answer“See you in court.”)
It’s indeed a return on investment for Mills admit Last week at the New York Times. “I was ticked in the governor of Maine, not so kind,” he said. “I messed up.”
Dudek isn’t even Trump Crony’s long-term (as he’s willing to really admit his willingness to mess up). If his account is correct, no one ordered him to target Maine. He just felt that it was the right thing to do when someone was rude to Donald Trump.
There may be more
Although U.S. citizens cannot be deported or ordered to leave the country immediately, they can retaliate in other ways. For example, Trump It has been very clear for a long time About his desire to target critics or political enemies with criminal proceedings – but unlike his first term, he appointed people like FBI directors Kash Patel and interim US attorneys in the District of Columbia Ed Martinthey seem to be eager to truly achieve this.
Martin tries to get Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to criminally investigate his comments in speech failbut Martin has moved towards a new goal.
One of these targets was Andrew Weissmann, the top prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia, and then became an MSNBC commentator. Earlier this month, Martin Send Weissman a threatening letterrequesting information about his ten-year affairs in the Justice Department and suggesting misconduct. This seems to be an obvious excuse for Weisman, as he is Trump’s enemy.
Like Trump’s Selection and hold political orders This week.
Legal experts say Trump has withdrawn funds in some cases, such as the $400 million grant from Columbia University that he canceled – it seems Very illegal. However, many targeted agencies are reluctant to file lawsuits in court, fearing that retribution will be worse.
The problem, though, is that if this strategy continues to “work” for Trump, he will continue to use it in a more suspicious or illegal way.
Indeed, it is shocking how many institutions (corporations, elite law firms and universities) have succumbed to Trump’s pressure. When will it stop? Will it stop?
