US Senator Cory Booker was seen on a livestream discussion with the ACLU on Thursday evening, still basking in the glow of his speech that lasted a jaw-dropping 25 hours. During the discussion, while many viewers were thrilled to see Booker make an appearance, a significant number expressed their frustration and disappointment over his vote to confirm Charles Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s father-in-law, who had received a pardon from President Trump in 2020, as the US Ambassador to France. Despite the mixed reactions from viewers, Booker did not take any questions from them but instead fielded questions from Deborah Archer, the President of ACLU National.
Prior to Senator Booker’s talk, AJ Hikes, the Deputy Executive Director for Strategy and Culture, shed light on the ACLU’s recent legal battles against the Trump administration. Hikes mentioned that the ACLU had filed over 110 legal actions, including 50 lawsuits, in response to the administration’s use of wartime powers like the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate deportations, sidestepping constitutional obligations to due process. Hikes drew a parallel to FDR’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to intern Japanese-Americans during World War Two. The ACLU is also pushing the government to repatriate individuals unlawfully sent to El Salvador’s mega-prison, even though the administration has been reluctant to bring back those they initially acknowledged were wrongly sent. Additionally, the ACLU is alarmed by reports of students being targeted by unidentified immigration law enforcement, apparently for their campus dissentions or protests against the Israel-Gaza conflict.
New Jersey ACLU executive director Amol Sinha brought up the arrest of Newark mayor Ras Baraka, who was detained while trying to conduct an oversight review of a detention center in the city, which garnered international attention. Sinha highlighted the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration, citing the establishment of the largest detention facility on the East Coast in Newark. He emphasized that New Jersey had become a focal point for the administration’s anti-immigrant policies, leading to the arrest and prosecution of elected officials who opposed Trump’s agenda. Sinha underscored the importance of standing up for immigrants’ rights and defending the rule of law, stating that the community in Newark was ready to combat these challenges. He called on individuals to be heroes in their communities, refusing to let democracy be undermined and advocating for justice and equality.
Senator Booker expressed his disbelief at the erosion of basic freedoms and the right to free expression under the Trump administration, noting the climate of fear and intimidation pervading the country. He referenced historical figures like Frederick Douglass to underscore the importance of resilience in the face of tyranny. Booker raised concerns about the administration’s attacks on legal institutions and the rule of law, pointing out the repercussions of undermining police accountability at the local level. He condemned the unjust arrests of Mayor Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver as abuses of power, highlighting the need for community leaders to resist authoritarianism and uphold democratic values. Booker stressed the importance of citizen engagement and activism, urging individuals in Republican-led districts to voice their concerns and push for change.
Throughout the conversation, Booker lauded the ACLU’s role in shaping public policy and driving social change across the nation. He shared anecdotes from his community in Newark, praising the resilience and determination of its residents in the face of adversity. Booker commended the everyday heroes who embody hope and strength in challenging times, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and faith in the nation’s future. As the discussion came to a close, Booker reiterated the need for unity and activism in the fight for democracy and justice, calling on Americans to stand up for their beliefs and push for a better future for all.
