Revelations from the book "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" indicate that former President Donald Trump considered suspending the fundamental legal concept of habeas corpus. The book, authored by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, details discussions within the Trump White House about this and other potentially extreme measures.
Habeas corpus is a legal principle that prevents the government from indefinitely detaining individuals without evidence or due process. CNN host Jake Tapper highlighted these findings, noting that Trump had openly discussed the idea on several occasions, particularly in the context of bypassing courts for immigration enforcement and deportation.
According to the book, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller had previously suggested that habeas corpus could be suspended in times of "invasion." Tapper also played a clip from a cabinet meeting in April where Trump alluded to a method used by "three very highly respected presidents" that he hoped not to use, but was interested in.
Historically, habeas corpus has been suspended by U.S. presidents including Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Additionally, in 2006, then-President George W. Bush signed the Military Commissions Act, which stripped non-citizens designated as "enemy combatants" of this right.
"Regime Change," released this week, also reportedly includes other significant revelations. Tapper, however, focused on the constitutional rights aspects, quoting passages from the book that described White House officials as "deeply alarmed" by the push to suspend habeas corpus. Some reportedly called the idea "insane," believing it would destabilize the country and hinder Trump's presidency, while "the President was interested."
The book further details discussions within the administration about invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow the deployment of U.S. troops for domestic law enforcement. These discussions reportedly occurred amid protests in January following a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. According to the book, Vice President JD Vance expressed his view that the Insurrection Act needed to be swiftly invoked to quell unrest, suggesting it would be painful short-term but the right course of action long-term.
Trump himself had previously floated the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act, stating in October that he was "allowed" to do so and that it would preempt "no more court cases" or "no more anything."