Debate Grows Over Trump's Non-Citizen Due Process Stance

In a recent NBC 'Meet the Press' interview, former President Donald Trump repeatedly declined to clarify whether due process rights under the U.S. Constitution apply equally to citizens and non-citizens, saying, 'I don't know. I'm not a lawyer.' He argued that granting full legal proceedings to all immigrants would overwhelm courts and hinder his mass deportation plans. His remarks drew criticism from legal experts, politicians, and civil rights advocates, who noted the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee due process and equal protection to 'any person.' Concerns were heightened by references to cases such as the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, where the administration ignored court orders. Trump said his administration would follow Supreme Court rulings but questioned the practicality of extending all constitutional protections, suggesting a focus on rapid removal of those deemed dangerous. The exchange has intensified debate over the administration’s commitment to constitutional norms in immigration enforcement.