The New Yorker:

The Trump Administration is stepping up its war on the rule of law. Is this bluster aimed at intimidating judges, or the start of something worse?

By Ruth Marcus

The White House driveway is an unlikely venue for announcing plans to upend the Constitution. But, strolling up to the bank of microphones on a sunny spring afternoon, the White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller seemed delighted to share the news that the Trump Administration is “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus, the fundamental constitutional right of those who have been detained to argue in court for their release.

This was, to all appearances, no casual aside; rather, the question that prompted Miller’s remark had all the earmarks of being planted in advance. Before taking any other queries, Miller pointed to the back of the crowd, where a reporter from Gateway Pundit, a far-right website, asserted that Trump had been discussing taking this controversial step “to take care of the illegal-immigration problem,” and asked, “When could we see that happen, do you think?”

Miller’s reply was delivered with his trademark style: condescension undimmed by any recognition of his own ignorance. “Well, the Constitution is clear, and that of course is the supreme law of the land, that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion.” He put particular stress on the second syllable of “supreme,” as if some pesky court might be trying to flex its muscle at constitutional expense.

Go to link