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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Tag: Donald Trump
May 23, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Trump Wants to Primary House GOP ‘Grandstanders’ Opposing the Big, Beautiful Bill.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican lawmakers who voted “no” on the House budget reconciliation bill, which advances several of his top priorities.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH).

📍 Where & When: The reconciliation bill passed the House early Thursday morning on May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried.

⚠️ Impact: Both Massie and Davidson could face competitive primaries with a number of strong candidates now considering bids for their Congressional seats.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted against his budget plan, according to the White House. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) both voted against the reconciliation bill, while Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)—who chairs the House Freedom Caucus—abstained from the vote.

“I believe he does. I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried. Earlier this week, President Trump singled out Rep. Massie specifically, labelling the Kentucky Republican a “grandstander” and someone who doesn’t “understand government.”

Subsequently, Massie began fundraising off of Trump’s comments. “I need your help. For having the audacity to say this bill does NOT repeal the green new deal, but DOES increase the deficit and debt substantially, I was threatened by Trump today, “Massie wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Can you contribute to my reelection at this link?” In just over 24 hours, Massie raised around $23,000 for his re-election campaign—a number he excitedly touted on social media.

“Hundreds of you responded almost instantly with financial support for my reelection,” Massie wrote on Wednesday, adding: “Speaking truth to power has gotten me in hot water here in the swamp” and again linking to his campaign fundraising page.

Others have pushed back against the Kentucky lawmaker, noting that he voted for the 2023 debt ceiling deal, which saw the cap on spending suspended entirely until January 2025. Despite its eventual passage, 71 Republicans voted against the 2023 measure. Its adoption eventually led to the ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the Speaker of the House—another move that Massie has criticized.

Massie, who was an outspoken backer of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, also opposed a Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-FL) effort to censure then-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for peddling the Russiagate conspiracy against Trump and spending millions of taxpayer dollars investigating the false accusations. Rep. Davidson joined Massie in opposing the censure measure.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 23, 2025
William Upton
Immigration
Lawfare

Obama Judge Blocks Trump’s Decision to Stop Harvard Importing Foreign Students.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which would have barred them from enrolling foreign students.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, Harvard University, foreign students, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was revoked on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Harvard’s lawsuit was announced on Friday, May 23, with Judge Burroughs issuing the temporary restraining order shortly thereafter.

💬 Key Quote: “Defendants, their agents, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants are hereby enjoined from: A. Implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the revocation of Plaintiff’s SEVP certification; B. Giving any force or effect to the Department of Homeland Security’s May 22, 2025 Revocation Notice,” wrote the federal judge.

⚠️ Impact: The temporary restraining order bars DHS from moving forward with pulling Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification while litigation is ongoing.

IN FULL:

U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, has moved to issue a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration in favor of Harvard University. The order blocks Trump White House officials from revoking Harvard’s ability to import foreign students under the student visa program.

The National Pulse reported Thursday that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced her agency would be pulling Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This means that Harvard would no longer be allowed to enroll foreign students ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. Additionally, any foreign students currently enrolled would need to transfer to another academic institution.

Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled that Harvard had demonstrated it would “sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties” unless a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was granted.

“Accordingly, Defendants, their agents, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants are hereby enjoined from: A. Implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the revocation of Plaintiff’s SEVP certification; B. Giving any force or effect to the Department of Homeland Security’s May 22, 2025 Revocation Notice,” she stated.

Earlier Friday, Harvard had filed a lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump and his White House. Harvard’s President, Dr. Alan M. Garber, condemned the SEVP revocation, calling it an “unlawful and unwarranted action.”

Garber argued: “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”

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May 23, 2025
Education
Lawfare

Harvard Launches New Round of Lawfare Against Trump Over Foreign Student Ban.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Harvard University is suing the Trump administration after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to revoke its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

👥 Who’s Involved: Harvard University, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was revoked on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Harvard’s lawsuit was announced on Friday, May 23, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” stated Harvard President Dr. Alan M. Garber, calling the move a threat to students’ futures.

⚠️ Impact: The decision could force over a quarter of Harvard’s student body, consisting of foreign students, to leave or transfer, causing significant financial consequences for the Ivy League university.

IN FULL:

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced President Donald J. Trump is moving to terminate the Ivy League institution’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. If upheld, this decision would block Harvard from enrolling new foreign students, with those already enrolled required to transfer to other institutions.

“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” Harvard’s President, Dr. Alan M. Garber, said in response to the revoked SEVP certification. Garber added: “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”

In a letter to the university community, Dr. Garber warned that the move “imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard” and may discourage foreign students at other U.S. institutions. However, the university is more likely animated by the financial impact of the SEVP certification revocation. Currently, it is estimated that 27 percent of Harvard’s total enrolled student population is foreign, at just under 7,000. With the total cost for a foreign student to attend the Ivy League university estimated to be over $100,000 per year, the loss of those students could be a crippling financial blow to Harvard, in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

The Trump administration has accused Harvard of prioritizing diversity over meritocracy and fostering a campus culture where anti-Semitism has been allowed to grow. Officials have also called for reforms to Harvard’s governance, admissions, and student discipline policies.

Image by Joseph Williams.

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May 23, 2025
Election Integrity

U.S. Govt Says Election Officials CAN Verify Voter Citizenship.

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❓What Happened: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced reforms to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to prevent noncitizens, including illegal aliens, from being added to state voter rolls.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and state election officials.

📍 Where & When: Reforms announced Thursday, May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, USCIS is moving quickly to eliminate voter fraud. We expect further improvements soon and remain committed to restoring trust in American elections,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

⚠️ Impact: The reforms aim to strengthen election integrity by enabling state officials to more efficiently verify voter registrants’ citizenship using Social Security Numbers.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has unveiled significant changes to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, aiming to bolster election integrity by removing foreign nationals, including illegal immigrants, from state voter rolls. During the 2024 elections, the issue of noncitizens and illegal immigrants casting ballots became a serious concern—especially with the former Biden government taking measures to block Republican attempts to ensure election integrity.

On Thursday, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the updated SAVE program will allow state election officials to verify voter registrants’ citizenship using Social Security Numbers (SSNs). This marks a shift from the previous system, which relied on alien numbers typically held only by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“For years, states have pleaded for tools to help identify and stop aliens from hijacking our elections,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, USCIS is moving quickly to eliminate voter fraud. We expect further improvements soon and remain committed to restoring trust in American elections.”

Additionally, the reforms aim to streamline the process for state and local election officials, enabling them to submit multiple citizenship verification cases simultaneously rather than one at a time. This adjustment is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens and expedite verification.

In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reported discovering thousands of foreign nationals on a limited number of state voter rolls, suggesting the issue could be more widespread. The partnership between USCIS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) aims to address these concerns by providing state officials with more efficient tools to verify citizenship status.

Previously, state and local governments were charged fees to access the SAVE program for verifying voter eligibility, as well as for driver’s licenses and other public benefits. The Trump administration has since eliminated these charges to encourage broader use of the program.

Image by Gulbenk.

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May 23, 2025
Politics

Lockheed Martin Halts DEI Initiatives Following Trump Order.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Lockheed Martin has announced the removal of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies to comply with an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump promoting merit-based hiring.

👥 Who’s Involved: Lockheed Martin leadership, including CEO Jim Taiclet, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was shared internally with Lockheed Martin employees and revealed on Thursday, May 22; the decision aligns with an Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 21, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Since then, we have conducted a thorough review of our efforts to recruit, retain and promote the best aerospace and defense talent in the world to ensure full alignment with the executive order and our core values—Do What’s Right, Respect Others and Perform with Excellence,” said CEO Jim Taiclet.

⚠️ Impact: Lockheed Martin will eliminate DEI policies, including demographic-based hiring goals, and align its practices with the Trump administration’s merit-based directives.

IN FULL:

Lockheed Martin has announced plans to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in order to align its hiring practices with a Trump-era executive order promoting merit-based opportunities. The decision was communicated to employees through an internal release, following a thorough review of the company’s practices.

The Executive Order, signed by President Donald J. Trump immediately following his inauguration on January 21, 2025, is titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” It mandates that federal contractors, including Lockheed Martin, end policies that prioritize demographic representation over merit. The National Pulse previously reported that consulting giant Deloitte announced in February it would end its DEI programs in compliance with Trump’s directive.

Jim Taiclet, Lockheed Martin’s president, CEO, and chairman, emphasized the company’s commitment to excellence and compliance with the directive. “Since then, we have conducted a thorough review of our efforts to recruit, retain and promote the best aerospace and defense talent in the world to ensure full alignment with the executive order and our core values—Do What’s Right, Respect Others and Perform with Excellence,” Taiclet wrote.

The company outlined several changes, including ensuring training compliance with the Trump directive, removing race-based hiring goals, ending affirmative action plans, and sunsetting Business Resource Groups and Employee Networks organized around identity or advocacy. Funding for external groups will also be aligned with the company’s mission and the executive order.

“The success of our company rests on the strength of our people, and we have the best in the business at 121,000 strong,” Taiclet added. He linked the changes to the company’s broader mission of ensuring peace through strength and delivering advanced capabilities to the United States and its allies.

Notably, the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under chairman Brendan Carr, has also used its regulatory authority to push the telecom and technology industries to scrap their DEI policies and programs. Last week, as part of a major buyout agreement approved by the FCC, Verizon announced it would end its DEI programs, among other concessions.

Image by Edward Kimmel.

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May 22, 2025
William Upton
Politics
SCOTUS

Fed’s Jerome Powell May be Out Sooner Than He Thinks, Thanks to SCOTUS.

PULSE POINTS: 

❓What Happened: The Supreme Court has granted a request by the Trump administration to stay the reinstatement of fired members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) by a lower court.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Supreme Court, President Donald J. Trump, federal government officials, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

📍 Where & When: Decision issued on May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Because the Constitution vests the executive power in the President, see Art. II, §1, cl. 1, he may remove without cause executive officers who exercise that power on his behalf, subject to narrow exceptions recognized by our precedents” — Supreme Court order.

⚠️ Impact: The fired officials will not be able to stay in post while their cases progress through the federal courts. Moreover, the Supreme Court’s decision signals it will likely rule in favor of the administration when the case reaches them, and that it may rule Congressional statutes restricting the executive’s power to fire federal employees “without cause”—potentially including Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell—are unconstitutional.

IN FULL:

The United States Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration a stay, effectively blocking several orders issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia enjoining the executive branch from firing several board members of so-called “independent” agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). While the decision by the high court only reinstates President Donald J. Trump’s decision to fire the Democrat-appointed officials and bars their reinstatement while the case is ongoing, the majority opinion suggests that as the case proceeds, the Supreme Court is likely to side with the President in its final determination.

“The application for stay presented to THE CHIEF JUSTICE and by him referred to the Court is granted,” the Supreme Court order reads, with the majority determining: “Because the Constitution vests the executive power in the President, see Art. II, §1, cl. 1, he may remove without cause executive officers who exercise that power on his behalf, subject to narrow exceptions recognized by our precedents, see Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 591 U. S. 197, 215−218 (2020).”

“The stay reflects our judgment that the Government is likely to show that both the NLRB and MSPB exercise considerable executive power. But we do not ultimately decide in this posture whether the NLRB or MSPB falls within such a recognized exception; that question is better left for resolution after full briefing and argument,” the justices in the majority continue, before making a potentially precedent-setting finding: “The stay also reflects our judgment that the Government faces greater risk of harm from an order allowing a removed officer to continue exercising the executive power than a wrongfully removed officer faces from being unable to perform her statutory duty.”

President Trump and his White House have signaled that they will push for a broad final ruling from the Supreme Court in arguments, with the aim of using a favorable decision to remove Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The central bank chief and Trump have clashed over interest rates and the former’s reluctance to slash borrowing costs and increase market liquidity.

Notably, the Federal Reserve Act—the law governing the central bank—does allow the U.S. president to remove the Federal Reserve board members “for cause” in cases of negligence of duty, misconduct, or corruption. However, the law does not allow top Fed officials to be fired over policy differences—a provision intended to ensure the central bank’s independence in managing the country’s monetary policy. However, a broad enough ruling in the current Trump v. Wilcox could reopen the question regarding Powell’s job security.

The National Pulse previously reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the White House has decided on a six-month timeline to replace Powell as the Fed chairman, suggesting interviews for his replacement would occur “sometime in the fall.”

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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May 22, 2025
Health
News

Pro-Lifers Cheer ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Slashing Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid Funding.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: House Republicans passed a budget bill blocking Medicaid funds from being used for abortions, including funding for Planned Parenthood.

👥 Who’s Involved: House Republicans, President Donald J. Trump, Students for Life Action, SBA Pro-Life America, Reproductive Freedom for All.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House of Representatives, Thursday morning.

💬 Key Quote: “This is an historic win for Pro-Life Americans and children in the womb, as Planned Parenthood and Big Abortion has been cut out of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ and has been told to go fund themselves.” – Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life Action.

⚠️ Impact: The bill now advances to the Senate, with potential implications for abortion funding and Planned Parenthood operations.

IN FULL:

The U.S. House of Representatives’ “big, beautiful” budget bill, championed by President Donald J. Trump, prohibits Medicaid funds from being used to orchestrate abortions, including through organizations like Planned Parenthood. The measure, supported by House Republicans and President Trump, now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Pro-life advocates welcomed the passage of the bill. Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life Action, described the move as a “historic win” for pro-life Americans. “Planned Parenthood and Big Abortion has been cut out of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ and has been told to go fund themselves,” she said, emphasizing her organization’s commitment to urging the Senate to prioritize “life-saving care over the interests of the abortion lobby” when it considers the bill.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA Pro-Life America, also praised the bill, calling it a “big step” toward ending taxpayer-funded support for the abortion industry. “Medicaid will be stronger for those who need it most,” Dannenfelser stated, adding that taxpayers should not be forced to support what a “scandal-ridden industry” focused on abortions, gender transitions, and political activism, rather than legitimate health services.

Dannenfelser urged Senate lawmakers to unite and move the legislation forward, stating that the lives of “more than 400,000 babies a year, their mothers, and countless American taxpayers” depend on its success.

Image by Robin Marty.

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May 22, 2025
Education
Immigration

Trump Goes Even Further in Foreign Student Crackdown.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University’s student visa program over allegations of non-compliance with federal requests for records and “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.”

👥 Who’s Involved: DHS, Harvard University, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

📍 Where & When: Harvard University, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.

💬 Key Quote: “As a result of your brazen refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information… you have lost this privilege,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote.

⚠️ Impact: Harvard cannot enroll foreign students starting in the 2025-2026 school year, and current foreign students must transfer or leave the U.S. before the next academic year.

IN FULL:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University‘s ability to host international students under the student visa program. The decision cites “pro-terrorist conduct” at campus protests and the university’s failure to comply with federal reporting requirements. The decision prohibits Harvard from enrolling foreign students for the 2025-2026 academic year, and current foreign students must transfer or leave the U.S. before the upcoming school year begins.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused.”

Meanwhile, in a letter to Maureen Martin, Harvard’s director of immigration services, Noem stated that the university’s “brazen refusal” to provide requested records and its perpetuation of an “unsafe campus environment” led to the decision. Noem accused the university of fostering a hostile atmosphere for Jewish students, promoting pro-Hamas rhetoric, and implementing discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.

DHS had previously requested footage of protest activity involving visa-holding students, along with disciplinary records for the past five years. According to Noem, Harvard provided responses deemed “insufficient, incomplete, and unacceptable,” despite multiple follow-up requests. The university has been given 72 hours to comply fully with DHS demands to potentially regain its visa program for the next academic year.

The crackdown follows a series of pro-Hamas protests on U.S. campuses after the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel. At least a dozen Harvard students have already had their visas revoked over protest-related activity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress this week that “thousands” of student visas have likely been revoked nationwide, emphasizing that a visa is “a privilege, not a right.”

The Trump administration has also frozen nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard, citing failures to address antisemitism and concerns over DEI policies. Investigations into the university are ongoing across multiple federal departments.

Currently, it is estimated that 27 percent of Harvard’s total enrolled student population is foreign, at just under 7,000. With the total cost for a foreign student to attend the Ivy League university estimated to be over $100,000 per year, the loss of those students could be a crippling financial blow to Harvard, in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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May 22, 2025
News

Trump, Grenell Secure Release of US Air Force Veteran.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A U.S. Air Force veteran detained in Venezuela since November has been released.

👥 Who’s Involved: Joseph St. Clair, his parents Scott and Patti St. Clair, former Trump envoy Richard Grenell, and Venezuelan officials.

📍 Where & When: St. Clair was handed over during a diplomatic handoff on Tuesday in a neutral location.

💬 Key Quote: “This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it, but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” said St. Clair’s parents.

⚠️ Impact: St. Clair’s release is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts that have freed multiple Americans detained abroad.

IN FULL:

A U.S. Air Force veteran detained in Venezuela for nearly a year has been freed, according to his family and U.S. officials. Joseph St. Clair, a decorated language specialist who served four tours in Afghanistan, was handed over to former Trump administration envoy Richard Grenell during a diplomatic exchange on Tuesday.

“Joe St. Clair is back in America,” Grenell confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I met Venezuelan officials in a neutral country today to negotiate an America First strategy,” he continued, adding that this was “only possible because [Donald Trump] puts Americans first.”

St. Clair’s parents, Scott and Patti St. Clair, expressed their relief in a statement: “This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it, but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.”

The veteran had traveled to South America seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when Venezuelan authorities detained him in November. No public charges were ever announced against him, according to his father’s prior comments to the press.

This release follows a series of quiet diplomatic negotiations involving Grenell, including the freeing of six other Americans detained by Venezuela’s government after its controversial presidential election in July. Grenell had previously met with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas earlier this year, urging the return of Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. who had committed crimes. Hundreds of deportations have since occurred.

Maduro later thanked Grenell and President Donald J. Trump for facilitating the return of a young Venezuelan girl separated from her mother, calling it a “profoundly humane” act.

St. Clair’s safe return adds to a growing list of Americans released from foreign detention through focused diplomatic efforts.

Image via @RichardGrenell.

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Migrant Crime
May 21, 2025
William Upton
Immigration
Lawfare

Biden Judge Halts Trump Plan to Deport Criminal Illegals to South Sudan.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration violated his order to provide “meaningful” due process to a group of illegal immigrants facing deportation. In the decision, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy also suggested that Trump immigration officials could have committed criminal contempt by moving forward with the deportation flight.

👥 Who’s Involved: Illegal immigrants from Burma, Vietnam, Mexico, Cuba, and Laos; U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy; and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍 Where & When: The illegal immigrants were allegedly flown from Texas earlier this week; Judge Murphy issued his ruling on Wednesday, May 21, after ordering DHS to maintain custody of the deportees late on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “A local judge in Massachusetts is trying to force the United States to bring back these uniquely barbaric monsters who present a clear and present threat to the safety of the American people and American victims,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said before the ruling on Wednesday.

⚠️ Impact: The ruling marks the latest interference by the U.S. federal courts in President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to deport dangerous illegal immigrants from the United States, some with removal orders dating back decades.

IN FULL:

A federal judge has intervened after reports surfaced that at least a dozen criminal illegal aliens, including migrants from Burma, Vietnam, and Mexico, were deported to South Sudan earlier this week. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy on Wednesday blocked the deportations and ordered the return of the illegal immigrants to the United States. In a previous ruling in April, the Joe Biden appointee ordered the Trump administration to ensure illegal immigrants slated for deportations to third countries received “meaningful” due process, but declined to provide detailed instructions as to what that would entail.

Late Tuesday, Judge Murphy issued an order instructing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain custody of the deportees, who were alleged to be on a plane sitting on a South Sudanese runway. The directive, according to the federal district court judge, was to give him time to determine whether the removals were unlawful—a determination he made just several hours later.

While Judge Murphy acknowledged his April ruling did not provide details regarding what he expected in terms of due process for the deportees, he insisted the 12-hour notice given by U.S. immigration officials was “obviously insufficient.” Likewise, attorneys representing the illegal immigrants argued that immigration authorities violated the April ruling, contending that they were not given an adequate opportunity to contest deportation to third countries where their clients had no ties and could face safety concerns.

On Wednesday, before the court hearing, DHS officials confirmed that a flight carrying at least eight individuals departed from Texas. However, DHS declined to confirm whether South Sudan was the final destination. A list released by the department identified the passengers as having criminal records and included illegal immigrants from Cuba, Laos, and Mexico.

“A local judge in Massachusetts is trying to force the United States to bring back these uniquely barbaric monsters who present a clear and present threat to the safety of the American people and American victims,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said before the ruling.

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