Library of Congress Erased Part of Constitution Trump Doesn’t Like

The Library of Congress removed two and a half sections of the U.S. Constitution from its website sometime after President Donald Trump ousted the library's longtime leader in May, Rachel Raposas reported for People.

Without habeas corpus, Trump’s aggressive deportation program would face fewer roadblocks and move more quickly.

In recent days, internet users noticed that portions of Article I were missing from the Library of Congress' Constitution Annotated website: Sections 9 and 10, and part of Section 8. Article I appeared on the site in full at the start of the summer, according to internet archives.

Recently, the Library of Congress insisted that the deletion of several clauses in Article I was the result of a website “coding error” and assured the public the issue would be resolved in a timely manner.

Despite the library's statement, some have continued to express suspicion given the timing of the removal and the specific clauses that were cut.

Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government and details the various powers of Congress.

Section 9, which focuses on the limitations of Congress’ authority, notably includes a clause stating that Congress cannot suspend habeas corpus — which grants anyone in custody the right to challenge their detention in court — unless necessary for safety in times of “rebellion or invasion.”

Trump’s White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told reporters in May that the administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas corpus, per PBS, amid the government’s mass detention and deportation of immigrants.

Without habeas corpus, Trump’s aggressive deportation program would face fewer roadblocks and move more quickly.