As of March 21, 2025
Benchmarks of Democratic Backsliding and Erosion
Leading the list of abuses this week was Trump’s unconstitutional declaration of war and invocation of the Aliens Enemies Act of 1798; timed to the mass deportation of 200 plus alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador and indefinite imprisonment in a maximum security prison with a history of human rights abuses.
Compounding this mass injustice was Trump’s call to impeach the federal judge who ordered a stop to the illegal deportations, cancelation of flights, and return of flight already in the air. This judicial order — in reality invoking Habeas Corpus a legal right that goes back to the Magna Carta — was ignored. The government lawyers even had the audacity to claim that it was too late because flights were over international waters by the time the written order was received even though the judge had orally ordered the stop earlier in court to the lawyers. Ironically, the flights were over the Gulf of America. How symbolic of how low Trump has sunk.
Rep. Jim Jordan has already planned hearings regarding the judge’s legal rulings. Elon Musk made max donations to members of Congress friendly towards the idea of impeaching judges who rule against Trump.
This is what happens after years of right wing rhetoric turning migrants into criminals. We know nothing about these men because they were disappeared without due process, the right to counsel. They had become unworthy victims in the eyes of too many Americans. I get rights, you don’t. That is not how American works. I think someone famous once said, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”
Of course Trump’s speech to the assembled staff of the Department of Justice where he rallied against the illegal press is of note. This attack on the press and free speech by a sitting President at the Justice Department is unprecedented.
Of additional note, is that government lawyers have determined that the Aliens Enemies Act permits government agents to enter homes without warrants. I presume under some Frankenstein interpretation of the ‘hot pursuit doctrine’ permitted by the Supreme Court. This determination would be in conflict with the bill of rights 4th Amendments protections from government intrusions and seizures without warrants. It suggests a government inching closer to declaring martial law.
I added a Friday Follies of all the sycophantic legislative bills introduced to kiss Trump’s derrière by fawning state and federal lawmakers. Got to have some sense of humor in this time. New entries to the benchmarks cumulative list of trespasses are in bold
For the full report please go to the menu and select Benchmarks. Thanks.
