On Saturday, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) made headlines by filing a court brief that stunned legal experts. The DOJ requested an ‘immediate administrative stay’ to allow the deportation of five men believed to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. A judge had previously blocked Trump’s attempt to use war powers for these deportations, leading the administration to appeal the decision.
However, it was the language and scope of the DOJ’s request that raised eyebrows. The brief argued that President Trump has inherent authority over national security, enabling him to deport individuals without any statutory basis. This claim alarmed experts, as it lacks precedent in U.S. history and raises concerns about unchecked executive power.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council and former immigration lawyer, reacted strongly to the DOJ’s argument. ‘Holy crap,’ he said, emphasizing that this claim is both unprecedented and terrifying. He pointed out that the legal reasoning could set a dangerous precedent for future presidential actions.
The case has also drawn attention from civil libertarians and political commentators. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian specializing in authoritarianism, warned that Trump’s actions reflect an increasingly authoritarian mindset. ‘This isn’t just about deportations—it’s about concentration of power,’ she said, urging the public to take these developments seriously.
As the legal battle continues, many are watching closely to see how this case will be resolved and what it could mean for the balance of powers in the U.S. government.