Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Trump is halfway to making America a police state
The Straits Times
|April 17, 2025
US President's refusal to accept a Supreme Court ruling on illegal deportation is a turning point.
At around noon on April 14, 2025, America ceased to have a law-abiding government. Some would argue that had already happened on Jan 20, when Donald Trump was inaugurated. On Monday, however, Mr Trump chose to ignore a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling to repatriate an illegally deported man. He even claimed the judges ruled in his favour.
The US President's middle finger to the court was echoed by his attorney-general, secretary of state, vice-president and El Salvador's vigilante president Nayib Bukele. The latter is playing host to what resembles an embryonic US gulag.
In terms of clarifying moments, Mr Trump's meeting with Mr Bukele compares with his dressing down of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in late February.
Mr Zelensky was berated for being insufficiently thankful for US military aid and for failing to wear a suit. A tieless Mr Bukele, by contrast, got royal treatment. Mr Trump's team nodded when Mr Bukele said he would not consider returning the wrongly deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. All baselessly agreed that Mr Garcia was in fact a terrorist.
The Oval Office drama offered a civics lesson to the world: the US government pays greater respect to a foreign strongman than its own Supreme Court.
This story is from the April 17, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
How to throw a kid's birthday bash with minimal preparation
My daughter, JJ, turned nine recently. Instead of throwing her a party with a surfeit of sugary treats and garrulous friends, my wife and I opted for a more subdued celebration.
4 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
For 80 years, Japan has tied its own hands. Will it now get a 'normal' military?
Murmurs grow to amend the post-war pacifist Constitution and formalise a force that can defend the country.
7 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Lifelong learning • Many helping hands to support persons with disabilities
We thank Mr Wesley Loh for sharing his learning journey and giving constructive suggestions (More SkillsFuture support for people with disabilities an equitable measure, May 18).
1 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Trump says US will not ‘rush into a deal’ with Iran
President Donald Trump said on May 24 that he had told US negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran, amid anticipation that an agreement to end the war in the Middle East was close.
3 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Schools Events should end early so students have enough sleep
Poor sleep is detrimental to students’ performance in school and overall mental and physical well-being.
1 min
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Parental education level affects children's AI usage patterns
how they are engaging with AI, rather than simply whether they have access to the technology.
2 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Study finds over half of 8-year-olds in S’pore have used AI; most popular tool is ChatGPT
More than half of eight-year-olds in Singapore have used artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with usage rising sharply by ages 10 and 13.
3 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Current F1 rules 'not doable' for Verstappen
Formula One’s rules might be maddening enough to drive out one of its best racers.
2 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
SHAI REVELS IN ‘FLOPPER' CHANTS
MVP welcomes the hostility from San Antonio crowd as Thunder eye 3-1 lead
3 mins
May 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Hypersonic missile lands near Kyiv in overnight Russian attack
Four killed, 80 injured as Ukraine suffers hours-long barrage of missiles and drones
3 mins
May 25, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size