Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:02 pm
For a guy who clearly and proudly lacks the required policy knowledge to assume the presidency, it’s no surprise that almost every proposal he has put forward during this campaign is either unrealistic and ridiculous or illegal and unconstitutional.
Add Trump’s latest idea to the “illegal” column.
When asked in an interview with the Miami Herald about the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Trump said he was “fine” with sending Americans there.
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“Would you try to get the military commissions, the trial court there, to try U.S. citizens?” Miami Herald political reporter Patricia Mazzei asked the Republican nominee during the interview.
Trump’s response: “Well, I know that they want to try them in our regular court systems and I don’t like that at all. I don’t like that at all. I would say they could be tried there, that would be fine.”
Here’s the problem: That would be illegal.
As the Miami Herald reported, “Under current federal law, it’s illegal to try U.S. citizens at military commissions. Changing the law would require an act of Congress.”
Federal law. Acts of Congress. Oh, please. Very few – if any – of Trump’s proposals show any regard for these things.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has proposed a slew of policies that aren’t just contrary to American values, but would be in violation of U.S. federal laws or international agreements.
The Republican nominee has said he would kill the family members of suspected terrorists – even if they have no connection to actual terrorist attacks or plots.
As PolitiFact has reported, a section of the Geneva Conventions clearly states that Trump’s idea would be in violation of the international pact:
According to Common Article 3, people who are taking no active part in the hostilities “shall in all circumstances be treated humanely… To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever … violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture.”
Trump’s proposal to expand torture would also be a violation of this international contract. Not to mention the fact that torture doesn’t work.
The Republican nominee’s plan to bar an entire religion from coming to the United States is also clearly unconstitutional under the First Amendment (freedom of religion) and the equal protection clause.
A presidential candidate proposing even one of these ideas should be disqualifying, as it shows a complete lack of regard for international norms and American values. Trump is proud to make all of them central to his campaign.
Trying American citizens at detention camps. Killing innocent relatives of terrorists. Expanding torture. Banning religions from the country.
These are ideas that have no place in the United States of America, and anyone who wants to implement them has no place in the White House
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
