President Donald Trump called for the end of the U.S. system that processes those seeking political asylum and refugee status on Friday and then added that it would also be good to "get rid of judges."
"Congress has to act," Trump told reporters outside the White House, referring to the asylum claim process and the broader immigration system. "They have to get rid of catch-and-release, chain migration, visa lottery, they have to get rid of the whole asylum system because it doesn't work."
"And frankly," the president then added, "we should get rid of judges. You can't have a court case every time sets their foot on our ground." Trump was on his way to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in California and then to a campaign fundraiser event in posh Beverly Hills later on Friday.
Watch:
Trump calls on Congress to "get rid of the whole asylum system" because "it doesn't work."
"Frankly, we should get rid of judges," he adds. pic.twitter.com/5s8kI9mbHR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 5, 2019
While it was possible to interpret that president's comments as specifically referring to judges who hear immigration and asylum claims cases, that unstated specificity offered no comfort to critics who immediately lashed out at Trump for once again thumbing his nose at human rights and the rule of law.
Political activist Max Berger responded:
If we had a functional legislature, Trump would be removed from office for being a fascist who opposes democracy.
Fascism can only thrive when democracy is failing. A president who says “we should get rid of judges” deserves to be impeached. https://t.co/Sdd85ClEqA
— Max Berger (@maxberger) April 5, 2019
