GOP senator weighs in on Trump’s 1798 immigration law, judge’s attempt to block it

Republican Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.) appeared Sunday on CNN, where he spoke about President Trump’s decision to invoke a 1798 immigration law and a federal judge’s attempt to block it.

On Saturday, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act. It was the first time it’s been used since World War II and allows the president to have sweeping powers to deport people. The action was targeted at the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Rounds joined “State of the Union” just hours after Trump’s action. A federal judge attempted to block the move, but the Trump administration deported people anyway.

“I can tell you that clearly these individuals never have been in the United States to begin with. And the question is, which laws are we using to get them back out, and whether or not the courts agree, that part will be determined by the courts,” Rounds said. “But in the meantime, I’m happy to see the president is following up with his promises that he is going to keep Americans safe.”

Host Jake Tapper pressed the senator on the legality of the move, since the judge ordered the administration to turn deportation flights around and bring people back to the U.S. while it plays out in the courts. The administration did not adhere to the judge’s order, and the migrants were deported.

“We’ll find out whether or not that actually occurred or not,” Rounds said. “I don’t know about the timing on it. I do know that we will follow the law.”

Rounds, in support of Trump, said he believed Trump was invoking the immigration law to protect Americans from the “violent gang” commonly called TDA.

“I think most Americans are going to say, ‘I don’t care how old the law is, if you can use it to get these guys out and keep my family safe, we’re going to do it in the meantime,’” he said.

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