Trump questions universal right to due process
President Donald Trump weighs in on the case of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, sharing his thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court’s involvement. Also, Trump aims to reopen Alcatraz, which has remained closed since 1963 and was once regarded as the most brutal prison in America.
Trump says he ‘doesn’t know’ if everyone is entitled to due process
President Donald Trump explored the question of whether all individuals in the U.S. have the right to due process as outlined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. He spoke with NBC News anchor Kristen Welker on Sunday, May 6, during “Meet the Press,” discussing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who supporters claim was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador in March.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has insisted that Abrego Garcia has connections to the MS-13 gang and has committed domestic violence against his wife.
Last month, a federal judge and the U.S. Supreme Court separately ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. Yet the Maryland man remains in a detention facility in El Salvador. His case has become a flashpoint of the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy.
Trump said his administration has not defied the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“I’m relying on the attorney general of the United States, Pam Bondi, who’s very capable, doing a great job, because I’m not involved in the legality or illegality. I have lawyers to do that, and that’s why I have a great DOJ,” Trump said. “And they’re not viewing the decision the way you said it. They don’t view it that way at all. They think it’s a totally different decision.”
Trump mentioned that there is a possibility the Department of Justice may return to the Supreme Court to request clarification from the justices regarding what they meant when ordering the administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return.
Trump orders feds to rebuild, reopen Alcatraz
Trump aims to reopen one of the country’s most notable maximum-security prisons. The president has proposed a plan to relocate inmates to Alcatraz in Northern California.
The president discussed his plan in a lengthy Truth Social post:
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Trump said he directed the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, the FBI and Homeland Security to reopen, enlarge and rebuild the prison to house America’s most violent offenders.
The three-story prison, with four cell blocks, was known as “The Rock.” It was initially built as a U.S. Army military prison in the early 1900s and later became one of the most famous maximum security prisons in the country, before closing in 1963. Attempts to escape from the prison also inspired a popular movie.
Israeli cabinet ministers approve plan to take over all of Gaza Strip
Israel’s cabinet ministers approved a plan on Monday, May 5, to capture all of the Gaza Strip and remain there for an unspecified amount of time, according to two Israeli officials.
Officials stated that Israel aims to defeat Hamas and free hostages still held in Gaza. The plan also includes powerful strikes against Hamas targets, they added.
The vote came just hours after the Israeli military chief announced that the army was recruiting tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The new plan would push hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, potentially worsening the humanitarian crisis there.
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in mid-March, Israel has repeatedly struck Gaza, killing hundreds. It now controls roughly half of the enclave. Before the truce ended, Israel halted all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which is 25 miles long along the Mediterranean Sea or roughly the size of a major American city.
Police thwart bomb attack at Lady Gaga concert in Brazil
As the saying goes, “the show must go on” — and it did.
American singer Lady Gaga performed a free concert on Saturday, May 3, that drew more than two million people to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
However, Brazilian authorities said they foiled a bombing attack.
Police said unidentified people were “virtually recruiting participants to carry out attacks” using improvised explosive devices. Authorities reported that they have arrested the person allegedly behind the plot, and they have detained a teenager in connection with the plan.
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security stated that a larger extremist network that operates online to radicalize adolescents and incite hate crimes organized the plan. Authorities said they received a tip from Rio state police intelligence, which uncovered digital cells encouraging violent behavior among teenagers using coded language and extremist symbolism.
Elon Musk’s ‘Starbase’ set to become Texas’ newest city
Residents in Cameron County voted on whether to establish Starbase as an independent city, marking a notable achievement for Elon Musk’s SpaceX in South Texas.
Here’s the catch: 283 eligible voters exist, and most of them work for SpaceX or have some connection to the company. About 200 people have already voted early, and they will cast their ballots in person this Saturday, May 10.
SpaceX aims to boost the number of launches conducted there from five to 25 annually, with the goal of eventually sending a spacecraft to Mars.
The main controversy surrounding the creation of Starbase as its own city is that during SpaceX launches, a local highway, a state park and a beach must close. The closure authority lies with the county, and some residents do not want to transfer that power to Starbase. It is located near the border with Mexico and covers only about 1.5 square miles, featuring a few roads and ranch-style homes.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2 action continues Monday
The puck drops on round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday, May 5. The Winnipeg Jets set the lineup after they rallied in a double overtime game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night, May 4, winning Game 7. The team scored two goals late in regulation, securing a win in front of their home fans.
Round two begins Monday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. The Capitals will face the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of their second-round series in Washington on Tuesday, May 6. The second round of the Western Conference also begins Tuesday, with the Vegas Golden Knights hosting the Edmonton Oilers.
The Jets will be back on the ice Wednesday, May 7, for Game One against the Dallas Stars in Winnipeg.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
