Key Takeaways:
- Republicans are criticizing courts for defending migrants’ due process rights, despite previously advocating for it.
- MSNBC’s Ari Melber highlighted how conservatives like Tucker Carlson have shifted their stance on due process.
- Due process is a constitutional right that applies to everyone, regardless of their actions or nationality.
- Conservatives who support due process selectively undermine the principle of equality before the law.
The Hypocrisy of Selective Due Process
Recent debates over immigration and deportation have revealed a striking double standard among some Republicans. While they once championed due process as a fundamental right, many are now criticizing courts for upholding this principle when it comes to migrants. MSNBC’s Ari Melberrecently highlighted this hypocrisy in a segment on The Beat.
Due process is a cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution. It ensures that individuals are treated fairly under the law and given the opportunity to argue their case in court. However, some conservatives have changed their tune when it comes to migrants.
Melber pointed out that Republicans, including Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, once loudly defended due process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they argued that people who refused vaccinations deserved due process before facing penalties. But now, these same figures seem less concerned about due process for migrants facing deportation.
Tucker Carlson’s Shifting Stance on Rights
One of the most striking examples Melber shared was Tucker Carlson’s contradictory statements. In 2020, Carlson questioned the authority of the government to impose rules that violated the Bill of Rights. He said, “How do you have the authority to order something that so clearly contravenes the Bill of Rights of the United States, the U.S. Constitution?”
Fast-forward to this year, and Carlson’s stance has changed dramatically. He stated, “I am for due process specifically for me. I’m not that concerned whether someone who broke a law, my law, to get into my country and is taking welfare from my pocket, gets due process.”
This shift in perspective raises a critical question: Should due process apply only to certain groups of people? The answer, according to Melber, is no.
Due Process for Me, Not for You
“Due process for me, not for them or you,” Melber summed up, criticizing the selective application of this constitutional right. He emphasized that due process is not a privilege reserved for specific groups—it applies to everyone, regardless of their actions or nationality.
For example, even people accused of serious crimes like murder are entitled to due process. This doesn’t mean society condones their actions, but it ensures that the legal system remains fair and just. If murderers have the right to due process, why shouldn’t migrants?
The Broader Implications ofSelective Due Process
The debate over due process for migrants has far-reaching consequences. It challenges the very foundation of the U.S. legal system, which is built on the principle that no one is above or below the law.
Melber argued that conservatives who once preached about the importance of due process are now abandoning it when it’s inconvenient. This selective approach undermines the idea of equality before the law.
“Either we have baseline protections and a Bill of Rights that protects people against government overreach, or we don’t,” Melber said. If due process is only applied to certain groups, it loses its meaning entirely.
Why This Debate Matters
The ongoing debate over due process is not just about migrants—it’s about the future of American democracy. If the government can deny due process to one group of people, it sets a dangerous precedent. Today, it’s migrants. Tomorrow, it could be anyone.
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect everyone from government abuse, regardless of their background. When politicians and pundits like Tucker Carlson advocate for selective due process, they weaken these protections for all Americans.
Conclusion
Ari Melber’s analysis exposes a troubling trend among conservatives who once championed due process but now dismiss it when it applies to migrants. Due process is not a tool for selective justice—it’s a fundamental right that ensures fairness and equality under the law. If we allow it to be eroded for one group, we risk losing it for everyone.