Conservatives slam Amy Coney Barrett after Venezuelan deportations ruling

Conservatives are facing a setback after Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by former President Donald Trump, sided with liberal justices in a 5-4 decision to allow the Trump administration to deport Venezuelan nationals under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act.

Republicans had initially celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling, which granted the Trump administration the authority to deport Venezuelan nationals, who the White House claims are members of the Tren de Aragua gang and terrorists. However, Barrett’s unexpected alignment with liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor in the dissenting opinion has sparked outrage among conservatives, who have taken to social media to express their disappointment.

Senator Mike Lee, a staunch ally of Trump, took to his personal X account to share his disappointment with Barrett’s decision to side with the liberal justices. His sentiments were echoed by Elon Musk, the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who criticized Barrett for what he deemed as “suicidal empathy” in a post on X.

The contentious ruling has stirred up a wave of discontent among conservatives, with influencer Rogan O’Handley, also known as DC Draino on X, calling out Barrett for joining the liberal justices in opposing Trump’s deportations. O’Handley highlighted the narrow margin of the decision, emphasizing that Barrett’s alignment with the liberal justices was unexpected and disappointing.

During a White House press briefing, LindellTV White House reporter Cara Castronuova questioned White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt about Barrett’s decision to side with the liberal justices. While Leavitt did not directly address Barrett’s vote, she emphasized the administration’s belief that the Supreme Court’s decision was a significant victory, despite the dissenting opinion.

Barrett’s alignment with liberal justices is not a new occurrence, as she previously delivered a dissenting opinion against a 6-3 ruling in 2024 regarding the charging of Jan. 6 rioters at the U.S. Capitol. This latest decision to allow the deportation of Venezuelan nationals under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act further showcases Barrett’s willingness to break ranks with her conservative counterparts on the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court’s decision to grant Trump’s request to lift the stay on deportations under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act has drawn mixed reactions, with the administration hailing it as a victory for national security. The act allows for the removal of “dangerous” immigrants during times of war, and the Trump administration has already deported over 261 migrants, including more than 100 Venezuelans, under this law.

Despite the controversy surrounding Barrett’s decision, the Supreme Court did not offer any additional comments on the matter. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of judicial decisions and the impact they have on immigration policies and national security.

Deirdre Heavey, a politics writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.