Trump administration not backing down from clash with judiciary

Amna Nawaz:

Well, turning now to other news out of the White House today, despite once again being told by a federal judge that their actions exceed the scope of the executive's authority, President Trump and his administration continued their fight with the judicial branch.

Our White House correspondent, Laura Barrón-López, has this report.

Laura Barrón-López:

Just two days after Trump passed his 100-day mark in office, his administration is making crystal clear they will not reverse on their collision course with the judiciary.

Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff: We are not going to allow a district court judge to try to become the secretary of state. Secretary Rubio is the one who, under his leadership and direction at the State Department, is managing the day-to-day relationship with El Salvador.

Laura Barrón-López:

That comment in response to a question about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, one of the migrants deported to El Salvador without due process by the Trump administration.

A U.S. district court judge, an appeals court, and the Supreme Court have ordered the administration to facilitate his return.

Stephen Miller:

Those are the terrorists that President Trump is finding and apprehending that our Democrat judges and Democrat activists are trying to keep on U.S. soil.

Laura Barrón-López:

Today, a federal judge in Texas called Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Garcia and hundreds of others unlawful.

Trump-appointed district Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. wrote: "Administration officials do not possess the lawful authority under the AEA and based on the proclamation to detain Venezuelan aliens, transfer them within the United States, or remove them from the country."

The ongoing clash with judges all as financial markets remain in turmoil and the administration looks for others to blame.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary:

Remember too, some of this is the economy that we inherited from the Biden era with the unsustainable spending.

Bill O'Reilly, Former Host, "The O'Reilly Factor": If it doesn't stabilize, this time next year, Democrats may win the midterms. So there is risk here, big risk.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: That's true. It is true. And I just think that I will be able to convince people how good this is.

J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States: Wow. This is a hell of a crowd.

Laura Barrón-López:

At a steel plant in South Carolina today, Vice President J.D. Vance told workers they will see a golden age of American manufacturing under President Trump.

J.D. Vance:

We are never going to allow your job to get shipped off to a country that hates us. We want to protect your jobs. And most importantly, we want to protect the great work you do right here in South Carolina.

Kamala Harris, Former Vice President of the United States: We are all in this together.

Laura Barrón-López:

Meantime, Democrats are marking Trump's first 100 days in office with sharp condemnation, including former Vice President Kamala Harris last night, in her biggest speech since leaving the White House.

Kamala Harris:

If Congress fails to do its part, or if the courts fail to do their part, or if both do their part, but the president defies them anyway, well, friends, that is called a constitutional crisis.

Protesters:

I will support the Constitution of the United States.

Laura Barrón-López:

Also today, lawyers rallied in New York City in response to what they call the Trump administration's full-blown assault on the rule of law. Similar rallies were scheduled across the country.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Laura Barrón-López.