In a controversial recent hearing, Senator Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem sparked outrage after making shocking statements about the constitutional right of Habeas Corpus and the role of the courts in checking government policy. What began as a routine session quickly descended into chaos and fierce debate.
The hearing, featured on The View, focused on how the current administration has allegedly bypassed the court system to enforce its policies—particularly on immigration and civil liberties.
From the outset, Kristi Noem was challenged on her understanding of Habeas Corpus. When asked to define it, she gave a vague and incorrect answer, claiming it was the President’s right to remove people from the country. Her response was immediately corrected by those present, including Senator Rubio, who reminded everyone:
“Habeas Corpus is the legal principle that requires the government to provide a public justification for detaining someone.”
He added that it cannot be suspended unless in cases of rebellion or invasion, citing President Lincoln’s use of it during the Civil War.
However, Rubio’s own remarks soon drew fire, especially his claim that no judge in the judicial branch can tell the President how to conduct foreign policy. This statement set off alarm bells among commentators and co-hosts on The View.
Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin sharply criticized Rubio’s interpretation of the separation of powers, arguing it undermines the foundational system of checks and balances in U.S. democracy.
Sunny warned: “If the executive branch can do whatever it wants without court oversight, that means the government could arbitrarily snatch people off the street—even American citizens.”
Alyssa Farah suggested that while Noem may not be “dumb,” her performance indicated either a lack of understanding or a deliberate play to a particular political audience. Joy Behar quipped: “Is she just acting, or is she really that ignorant?” while Sunny referred to Noem sarcastically as a “puppy killer,” implying that either way, her position was indefensible.
The conversation escalated into broader concerns about the erosion of judicial oversight and the growing power of the executive branch. Several hosts lamented how Congress has spent decades handing more authority to the President via executive orders, weakening legislative checks.
The panel warned that denying the courts their constitutional role threatens civil liberties and undermines the democratic system.
Rubio’s statement that “the courts can’t tell me what to do” was singled out as especially dangerous and misleading—particularly coming from a trained lawyer.
At the close of the segment, the hosts called on Americans not to lose hope or give in to cynicism.
Whoopi Goldberg urged viewers to remember that “people want things done legally, with due process,” and warned that when government oversteps or acts illegally, it erodes trust and legitimacy—regardless of pa