President Donald Trump appeared in the Oval Office with the Secretary General of NATO Tuesday afternoon, and re-issued his threat to close the southern U.S. border to Mexico.
But it was his description of the situation – and what he sees as wholly acceptable goals – that was stunning.
The President of the United States repeatedly insisted that civil rights should be ignored and rescinded. Regardless of immigration or citizenship status, every person in the U.S. has constitutional rights that cannot be summarily dismissed.
“What we have to do is Congress has to meet quickly, and make a deal,” Trump said to reporters. “I could do it in 45 minutes,” he claimed, which is false, given his track record.
“We need to get rid of chain migration, we need to get rid of catch and release, and visa lottery, and we have to do something with asylum, and to be honest with you – have to get rid of judges,” Trump said casually, not realizing – or not caring – that he is literally talking about taking away civil rights, the civil rights of people who are fleeing violence, gangs, drugs, and oppression.
“Every time you catch somebody that’s come illegally into your country, and they bring them to a court,” Trump railed, again attacking civil rights.
Many on social media expressed concern.