President Donald Trump washed his hands of one of his most controversial policies and blamed it on lower-ranking officials.
The president sat down for an extended interview with The Atlantic's Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, who wrote that he seemed to acknowledge that his executive powers have limits, even as he continually seeks to expand them, and they added that Trump seemed to understand the Constitution would not allow him to disregard a judicial order.
“I think the judge is horrible,” Trump said, referring to U.S. District judge James Boasberg.
That federal judge has tried to stop the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants to an El Salvador prison under the Alien Enemies Act, but Trump cited a controversial Supreme Court granting him immunity from criminal prosecution for anything he does as part of his “official” duties as president.
"I’ve had a lot of horrible judges, and I won on appeal, right?" Trump said. "I got immunity on appeal."
The reporters questioned him on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran national who had been living legally in the U.S. before he was mistakenly deported, but the government's own admission, to the notorious CECOT prison, and Trump denied any responsibility for his case or others like it.
Also read: 'This is our shot': Dems believe MTG's new job gives 'golden opportunity' to destroy GOP
“You know, I’m not involved in that," Trump said. "I have many people, many layers of people that do that. I would say they are all extremely tough, dangerous people. I would say that, and, don’t forget, they came in the country illegally.”
The government has argued that Abrego Garcia was a gang member, which his attorneys and family deny, and he was never granted due process for an opportunity to challenge the allegation, but Trump's advisers argue that his approach is working – even if the public doesn't seem to agree.
“Think about everything that’s happened immediately on immigration,” said Cliff Sims, who has served as an aide in both Trump administration. “Oh, we’re just going to ship gang members to a prison in El Salvador? ‘Sure.’ We’re going to send [border czar] Tom Homan to kick down the door of every criminal illegally in the country? ‘Have at it.’ It is the ultimate example of the ruthless efficiency of Trump 2.0.”