Senate Democrats demand hearing on Trump deportations

Senate Democrats are asking Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul to convene a hearing on President Donald Trump’s deportation policies, including claims that administration officials are defying court orders in their haste to expel foreigners from the U.S.

In a letter obtained by POLITICO, all the panel’s Democrats called on Paul to “immediately” hold a hearing on Trump’s approach to a series of high-profile deportation fights, including the transfer of more than 200 foreigners to a notorious high-security prison in El Salvador in March. Judges have found two of the deportations to be illegal or improper, while another judge is mulling contempt proceedings after concluding the administration might have defied his orders.

“The Administration demonstrates its intention to upend our nation’s bedrock principles of checks and balances by placing the Executive Branch above the law and outside the reach of judicial orders,” said the letter, signed by the committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, and colleagues. “The Administration has declined to present evidence of their claims in court, they have denied individuals their right to have a hearing to contest the government’s claims, and they have refused to follow the rulings of multiple courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.”

The Democrats said Trump’s policies threaten to impact U.S. citizens as well, since he has publicly said he’d like to send American criminals to foreign prisons.

In the letter sent Wednesday, Peters and colleagues asked Paul to summon three Cabinet members — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — as well as FBI Director Kash Patel.

The letter warns that Republicans could “embolden” Trump by failing to conduct oversight of his administration’s action, but it also makes reference to Paul’s independent streak, praising him as “a steadfast advocate for Congress’ role as a co-equal branch of government.”

A spokesperson for Paul did not immediately respond to a request for comment.