Clueless Donald Trump, Humiliated After Dodging Legal Question
The president had his Latin knowledge tested at the White House–and failed spectacularly.
Donald Trump appeared visibly puzzled when asked about a Latin phrase primarily used in the judicial system.
The 79-year-old president was fielding questions from influential conservative figures in the White House State Dining Room while hosting an Antifa panel discussion when a reporter asked him how to handle the anti-fascist movement.
The Trump administration has labeled Antifa, a term for far-left activists, a domestic terrorist organization, and on Wednesday, the term was used to accuse them of a “campaign of violence” against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The president was asked, “Have you given any further thought to suspending habeas corpus, not only to combat these insurrectionists across the country, but also to continue the rapid deportation of illegal immigrants?”
Seemingly confused by the question, Trump replied, “Suspension of whom?” – seemingly convinced that habeas corpus was a person.
The reporter repeated the phrase “habeas corpus,” prompting Trump to say obliquely: “Uh-oh, I don’t know. I’d rather let Christie handle that.” Trump was then referring to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was sitting next to the president. “What do you think?”
Noem also replied, awkwardly, “Sir, I haven’t been involved in any discussions on that.”
Trump appeared to purse his lips and continue his speech.
“That’s a relief,” wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom in a video of the moment posted on social media.
Habeas corpus is Latin for “you have the body.” Federal courts can use a writ of habeas corpus to determine the legality of a state’s detention of a detainee. This order can be used to bring a detainee before a court to determine whether their detention is lawful.
Noem’s habeas corpus request may not have been in the president’s best interest. During her Senate testimony last May, Noem took offense when Senator Maggie Hassan asked her what habeas corpus was.
She replied, “Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that gives the president the right to remove people from this country.”
“That’s false,” said the New Hampshire Democrat.
During a panel discussion on Wednesday, Trump said he was ready to designate Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization after designating it a domestic terrorist group last month.
Attorney General Pam Bondi supported Trump’s attacks on the anti-fascist organization.
“Fighting crime isn’t just about getting criminals off the streets. “It’s about dismantling the organization brick by brick, just like we did with the cartels,” Bondi said. “We’re going to take the same approach, President Trump, with Antifa: we’re going to destroy the entire organization, from top to bottom. We’re going to dismantle it.”
Noem asserted that Antifa is “as complex as MS-13, TDA, ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, and all the others. They’re just as dangerous.”
