Kristi Noem, Secretary for Homeland Security, was asked by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) to define Habeas Corpus. Keep in mind that the principle of Habeas Corpus has shaped out nation’s approach to our laws in the US since the start of our nation. It actually traces its roots as least a far back as the creation of the Magna Carta in 1215 (CE) (No kings above the law.)
Secretary Noem, as you can hear and see in this short clip, is 100% wrong in her definition. The principle is designed to limit the potentially overwhelming power that the government can use against individuals. But in her mind, it is the opposite. She says that it is a Constitutional principle that the President can use to get rid of people.
My father, who worked in law enforcement, used to mention another principle, namely that ignorance of the law is not a protection from prosecution.
The following is a summary created (I assume) by the AI for Google:
“Due process, as a fundamental right guaranteed by the US Constitution, ensures fairness and prevents arbitrary government actions that deprive individuals of life, liberty, or property. It's a crucial safeguard in legal proceedings, particularly in criminal and civil cases. Due process requires that individuals are treated fairly and have an opportunity to be heard before the government can take action against them.”
I think it would be a wonderful idea to flood her office with definitions of Habeas Corpus.
Kristi Noem
Office of the Secretary
MS 0525 Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20528-0525
Saw her try to give her lame answer
I was appauled. She is just totally ignorant if the law and really has no business in this position and anyone who shot her own puppy in the face belongs in prison not sending anyone into one