Justice Barrett’s Dissent Ignites MAGA Fury

Person breaking red pencil with both hands

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has sparked outrage among MAGA supporters after siding with the Supreme Court’s liberal justices in a dissenting opinion on Trump’s immigration deportation powers.

Quick Takes

Barrett joined the three liberal justices in dissenting against a 5-4 Supreme Court decision that allowed Trump’s administration to continue deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
The majority ruling permits deportations but requires individuals to have the opportunity to challenge their removal under due process.
Barrett’s dissent prompted harsh criticism from Trump supporters and conservative commentators, who accused her of betrayal despite being a Trump appointee.
The Supreme Court decision strengthens the government’s position on deportations while still requiring court hearings for those facing removal.
This is not Barrett’s first break with conservative expectations, despite voting with the court’s most conservative justices over 80% of the time in 2023.

Barrett’s Surprising Dissent Angers Trump Base

In a highly contentious 5-4 Supreme Court decision, Justice Amy Coney Barrett broke with her fellow conservative justices to side with the Court’s liberal wing against President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations. The Supreme Court’s ruling ultimately allowed the administration to continue deportations of individuals suspected of gang affiliation, particularly those allegedly connected to the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela. However, the Court mandated that those facing deportation must be given the opportunity for judicial review to challenge their removal.

Barrett, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Trump in 2020, joined Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson in dissent. Her position has particularly inflamed Trump supporters who expected unwavering loyalty from the justice. Barrett agreed with Justice Sotomayor’s concerns about the administration’s approach to deportations and criticized the Court’s conservative majority for taking the case on an emergency basis rather than allowing it to proceed through normal federal appeal processes.

Conservative Backlash Intensifies

The backlash from conservative figures has been swift and severe. Conservative commentator Rogan O’Handley voiced his disapproval on social media, stating, “While this Supreme Court victory for Trump allowing him to deport cartels is huge, it was only a 5-4 decision. Guess who joined the 3 liberal Justices to keep cartels here in America? Amy Coney Barrett.” This sentiment has been echoed throughout conservative circles, with some questioning whether Barrett was a reliable constitutionalist appointment.

Other prominent conservative voices have joined the criticism, with some resorting to gender-based attacks. Jeff Younger stated, “All the men on the Court voted the law. All the women, including Amy Coney Barrett, voted their feelings.” Meanwhile, right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich went further, labeling Barrett as “evil” and “another DEI hire,” suggesting her appointment was based on identity politics rather than qualifications. Even influential conservative radio host Mark Levin accused Barrett of having “deceived people into thinking she was a reliable constitutionalist.”

Amy Coney Barrett, once a conservative darling, is now officially a swamp creature. Her mask is off, showing her true colors on the bench. She sided with the 3 liberal justices when it came to deportations under the Alien Enemies Act… Trump needs to distance himself from the… pic.twitter.com/OevlI79g8O

— The 🐰🕳️ (@TheHoleTweet) April 8, 2025

The Court’s Decision and Implications

Despite the controversy over Barrett’s dissent, the Supreme Court’s decision represents a significant victory for the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement goals. The Court’s ruling allows deportations to continue under the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act of 1798, provided that individuals have access to judicial review. This requirement for due process has been welcomed by civil liberties groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which viewed the ruling as a partial victory for constitutional rights.

The case will now return to the district court in Washington, DC, for further proceedings. Trump has already hailed the decision as “a great day for justice in America,” focusing on the Court’s approval to continue deportations rather than the due process requirements imposed. The ruling maintains the government’s authority to remove suspected gang members while establishing that even in cases involving national security, individuals cannot be deported without having the opportunity to challenge their removal in court.

Barrett’s Judicial Independence

This is not the first time Barrett has broken with expectations since her appointment. Despite the current criticism, Barrett has maintained a largely conservative voting record, siding with Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito over 80% of the time in 2023. However, she has occasionally demonstrated judicial independence that has surprised both supporters and critics. In addition to this immigration case, Barrett recently voted against Trump’s attempt to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid and denied his request to delay sentencing in a hush-money case.

The controversy surrounding Barrett’s dissent highlights the increasing political pressure on Supreme Court justices to align with partisan expectations. As the case continues through lower courts, Barrett’s position suggests that even Trump-appointed justices may prioritize their interpretation of constitutional principles over political loyalty. For conservatives who expected Barrett to be a reliable vote for right-wing causes, her willingness to break ranks in certain cases has become a source of frustration that threatens to overshadow her otherwise conservative judicial record.