US Supreme Court clears way for Alien Enemies Act deportations – but migrants must get court hearing | First Thing

Family members of many deported Venezuelans deny alleged gang ties. Plus, global executions hit 10-year high in 2024

Good morning.

The supreme court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to use an 18th-century wartime law to deport Venezuelan people, but said they must get a court hearing before they are taken from the US.

What was the reaction? Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed suit against the deportations, said the court's ruling that deportees were entitled to due process was an important victory". Donald Trump posted: The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself. A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA."

What did Beijing say on Tuesday? China's commerce ministry accused the US of blackmail" and said Trump's threats of additional 50% tariffs if Beijing did not reverse its own 34% reciprocal tariff were a mistake on top of a mistake".