The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is experiencing a mass exodus of approximately 70% of its lawyers, totaling around 250 attorneys, since President Trump’s inauguration. This dramatic shift stems from the administration’s redirection of the division’s focus from its traditional mission of combating discrimination to enforcing Trump’s executive orders, including those targeting perceived “radical indoctrination” in schools and “gender ideology extremism.” The changes, overseen by the new division head Harmeet Dhillon, have led to the dropping of numerous cases and a widespread feeling among remaining staff that the division is being weaponized against the very populations it was created to protect. This unprecedented level of departures contrasts sharply with the first Trump administration, where such a mass exodus did not occur.
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U.S. citizen Savanna Pinder was detained for two hours at Miami International Airport upon returning from Spain, despite using Global Entry. Pinder, a TikTok content creator who frequently posts political content critical of former President Trump, was questioned extensively about her travel, work, social media, and family history by multiple officers who refused to state the reason for her detention. Her luggage was searched, though not thoroughly, and she was asked to provide access to her social media accounts. This incident follows similar reports of U.S. citizens facing unexpected detention at airports, highlighting concerns about potential overreach in border security practices.
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The Justice Department lifted a decades-old school desegregation order in Louisiana, characterizing its continued existence as a “historical wrong” and suggesting a review of similar Civil Rights-era orders. This action, reflecting the Trump administration’s policy, comes amidst concerns that ending such orders could exacerbate school segregation, reversing decades of progress toward integration. Numerous school districts in the South remain under court-ordered desegregation plans, with some viewing these as outdated while others see them as vital tools to ensure equal educational opportunities. Critics argue that lifting these orders signals a diminished commitment to addressing racial disparities in education and could face significant legal challenges.
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A federal judge in Vermont ordered the immediate release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and lawful permanent resident, who had been arrested during his citizenship interview. Mahdawi, who had been detained by federal agents for protesting Israel’s war in Gaza, successfully challenged the constitutionality of his arrest and detention, arguing it violated his First Amendment rights. His release marks a victory against the Trump administration’s targeting of student activists, though other similar cases remain pending. The government’s actions were described by his legal team as baseless and a disgrace to the U.S. Constitution.
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A Vermont federal judge ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia University student, who had been detained by the Trump administration for deportation despite facing no criminal charges. The judge ruled that the government failed to justify Mahdawi’s continued detention, citing a lack of evidence suggesting he was a flight risk or danger, and noting that his detention could chill protected speech. Mahdawi’s release is pending the resolution of his case, allowing him to continue his studies and legal representation. This decision follows legal challenges by other Palestinian activists facing similar deportation orders based on an obscure foreign policy statute. The case highlights concerns about the potential for retaliatory actions against those advocating for Palestinian human rights.
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Van Hollen’s statement, “I am not defending the man, I am defending the rights of this man to due process,” highlights a crucial point often lost in the heat of political debate. It’s a declaration that underscores the fundamental principles of American justice, emphasizing the importance of procedural fairness over immediate judgment.
The core of Van Hollen’s argument rests on the unwavering principle of due process, a cornerstone of the American legal system and a guaranteed right for all individuals within the nation’s borders. This right transcends individual opinions about the accused; it’s a safeguard for everyone, regardless of background, perceived guilt, or immigration status.… Continue reading
Nineteen-year-old Jose Hermosillo, a U.S. citizen visiting Tucson from Albuquerque, was mistakenly arrested by Border Patrol near Nogales, Arizona, for illegal entry due to lack of identification. Despite claiming U.S. citizenship and his family providing proof, Hermosillo was detained at the Florence Correctional Center before a Tucson magistrate judge dismissed the case. His release followed the family’s presentation of his birth certificate and social security card, highlighting concerns about wrongful detention by immigration officials. This incident mirrors similar recent cases of misidentification and detention of U.S. citizens.
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A video surfaced showing an ICE agent shattering a car window with a sledgehammer to detain Juan Francisco Méndez, a Guatemalan man with no criminal record, in New Bedford. Social media falsely identified the agent as a militia leader, a claim ICE vehemently denied, stating the agent is a long-serving federal officer and that such misinformation jeopardizes officer safety. Méndez, who entered the country without authorization but was pursuing asylum, was arrested despite his attorney arguing his status as an asylee through marriage. ICE refused to release the agent’s name or confirm the identities of other agents present.
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The Trump administration argues that facilitating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly imprisoned in El Salvador, only requires removing domestic obstacles to his return, not actively securing his release from Salvadoran authorities. This position, supported by El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, is deemed by legal experts as a violation of a Supreme Court order mandating the administration’s cooperation. Experts predict this defiance will lead to a Supreme Court challenge, potentially involving the question of American citizens’ rights and the administration’s compliance with court orders. Trump’s suggestion of sending American citizens to the same prison further escalates the legal and constitutional implications.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood