Welcome to today’s podcast, where we dive into a controversial statement made by former President Donald Trump regarding deportation. Recently, at a press conference with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Trump expressed his desire to explore the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens to a megaprison in El Salvador, saying, “I’d like to go a step further… we also have homegrown criminals… that are absolute monsters.”

This rhetoric follows Trump’s earlier decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, allowing him to deport 300 Venezuelan migrants to a facility known for its human rights violations, including systematic beatings and even torture. Notably, in this context, a White House press secretary confirmed Trump’s interest in using the same harsh tactics for U.S. citizens accused of violent crimes, emphasizing that these individuals would be “heinous, violent criminals.”

However, the legal framework around this remains murky. Critics are concerned that this could lead to deportations without due process, effectively treating U.S. citizens like foreign detainees. Previous deportations under similar claims have demonstrated the troubling lack of evidence and due process afforded to those involved.

As the Trump administration continues to evoke this wartime law, the implications for civil liberties are significant and troubling. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
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