By Charles Switzer
3:50am PDT, May 9, 2025
Lankford's Comments Spark Backlash from MAGA Influencers
Republican Senator
James Lankford recently ignited a firestorm of criticism among pro-
Donald Trump circles by commenting on CNN about the due process rights of illegal immigrants.
His remarks, made during an interview with
Kasie Hunt on Tuesday, May 6, contradicted the views of some staunch
MAGA supporters and sparked intense reactions across social media platforms.
During the interview, Hunt asked Lankford about President Donald Trump's stance on due process for those facing deportation
Here's the exchange…
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Lankford Discusses Due Process for Immigrants
During the interview, Kasie Hunt asked James Lankford about President Donald Trump's stance on due process for those facing deportation. Specifically, Hunt questioned whether Trump would uphold the Constitution and provide due process to individuals who are being deported.
Lankford responded by noting that Trump said, "I've got good attorneys advising me on all those things, and they're going to make sure they get it right."
Lankford continued by explaining that the due process afforded to illegal immigrants differs from that of U.S. citizens: "What's been confusing on this is some people see due process like us as American citizens, and that's a right to a jury trial, that's all those different things. That's not true for due process for someone who's not a citizen of the United States. It's a different process. It's often just literally what people call an immigration judge, which is not a typical federal judge or a state judge; this is someone that's in the bureaucracy," he said.
Legal Precedents Support Lankford's View
James Lankford's comments reflect the legal distinctions made in the U.S. regarding the due process rights of non-citizens. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that non-citizens facing deportation are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal, though the process differs significantly from that of U.S. citizens. The Supreme Court upheld the use of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) for deportations but stipulated that detainees subject to removal orders must be given a reasonable opportunity to seek relief.
This distinction has been a key point in ongoing legal discussions about Donald Trump's immigration policies, including his use of the AEA and the indefinite detention of migrants without due process. The Court's decision has sparked further debate over the balance between national security concerns and constitutional rights for all people on U.S. soil.
Pro-Trump Media Reacts to Lankford's Comments
James Lankford's remarks quickly caught the attention of conservative media outlets like Breitbart and The Blaze. The backlash on social media was swift, particularly among pro-Donald Trump influencers who felt that Lankford's comments contradicted the more hardline stance against illegal immigration favored by many in the MAGA movement.
Charlie Kirk, a prominent pro-Trump organizer, shared a clip of the interview posted on X by way of The Blaze. He criticized Lankford, writing, "He wants 20 million trials for the invaders he and Democrats allowed to come in. Lankford is politically done and he knows it."
Criticism from MAGA Commentators
MAGA commentators were also vocal in their disapproval of James Lankford's remarks.
One such commentator expressed frustration on X, writing, "I'm so sick of these fake a** weak cowards in the Republican Party running to fake news CNN to undermine the voters and the President."
Another remarked, "It doesn't matter what you think, Donald TRUMP IS the REPUBLICAN PARTY. Get in line where you belong."
The comment highlights the growing divide within the Republican Party, where hardline immigration stances clash with more moderate positions like Lankford's.
