Democratic lawmakers and a number of legal experts have sharply criticized the Trump administration for threatening to suspend habeas corpus — the right of a person to challenge their detention in court. Trump adviser Stephen Miller made the threat on Friday.

Stephen Miller: “The Constitution is clear — and that, of course, is the supreme law of the land — that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So, it’s an option we’re actively looking at. Look, a lot of it depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not.”

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut responded by saying, “The slope to despotism can be slippery and quick.”