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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is defying a federal choose’s order that it free a pro-Palestinian activist, attacking each the rule of regulation and the Structure’s assure of free speech.
Catch me up? In March, the Trump administration arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia College scholar, and designated him for deportation over his participation in campus protests. Mahmoud was a authorized everlasting US resident, however the administration argued it has the proper to revoke Khalil’s inexperienced card on the grounds that his presence constitutes a risk to US international coverage. Khalil sued to cease the deportation, and the 2 sides have been in court docket ever since.
So what occurred this week? On Wednesday, a federal choose ordered the administration to free Khalil. However at the moment, the administration mentioned it will not free him, arguing unconvincingly that it’s nonetheless detaining Khalil for a completely different violation. (The choose’s ruling to free Khalil explicitly anticipated this technique and described it as legally unsound.)
What’s subsequent? The administration says that it’s going to attraction the order to a better court docket — and preserve Khalil detained within the meantime.
What’s the large image? If Khalil had carried out all the identical protest actions on behalf of a trigger favored by the administration, he’d nonetheless be free. That signifies that, beneath Donald Trump, immigrants are going through penalties for expressing political beliefs that the administration objects to — a transparent violation of the First Modification.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
I’m in determined want of an extended stroll with my canine and a podcast, so I’m excited concerning the new episode of Right this moment, Defined. The episode is concentrated on Dropout, a streaming platform whose followers are so devoted that a few of them are literally asking to pay extra for the service. (You possibly can pay attention on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.) I hope everybody has a secure and fulfilling weekend, and I’ll see you again right here Monday.
