‘The Emergency Isn’t Coming, It’s Now’: Maxine Dexter Condemns Possible Suspension Of Habeas Corpus

During House floor remarks on Thursday, Rep. Maxine Dexter (R-OR) spoke about the Trump Administration floating the idea of suspending habeas corpus.

Transcript

00:00The gentlewoman is recognized for one minute.

00:02Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

00:04I am again coming to the House floor, the People's Chamber, to say the emergency isn't coming.

00:10It's now.

00:11Donald Trump's advisors are threatening to suspend habeas corpus.

00:16Habeas corpus is the constitutional right that protects Americans from being detained

00:21without charge, without trial, without due process.

00:25This isn't some obscure legal debate.

00:29Habeas corpus is the bedrock of our freedom.

00:33Strip it away, and you strip away the very foundation of our nation.

00:37Let me be clear.

00:38This is authoritarianism in plain sight, a direct assault on the rule of law and on the American people.

00:47To my colleagues in this chamber, we are not just representatives of our districts.

00:52We are the front-line defenders of our republic.

00:55We cannot merely just watch history unfold.

00:59We must shape it.

01:01It is on each and every one of us to tell the truth.

01:05Donald Trump is coming for our freedoms.

01:08It is on each and every one of us to stand up, speak out, and refuse to be silenced.

01:13And to my colleagues, don't wait for the history books to decide what side you were on.

01:18Decide right now.

01:19Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:20I yield back.

01:21Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:22Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:23Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:24Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:25Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:26Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:27Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:28Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:29Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:30Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:31Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:32Thank you, Mr. Speaker.